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Four years after Billy Cholo's death, police offer update on 'challenging' investigation

"Who killed Billy Cholo?"

It's a question many in Fort Simpson have asked since the 45-year-old man was found dead in a gazebo in January of 2014.

Now, with an awareness campaign from one community member who is handing out stickers that ask the same question - as reported by the CBC - RCMP are weighing in.

"Fort Simpson RCMP and NT RCMP Major Crimes unit continue to investigate the homicide of Fort Simpson's Billy Cholo," a news release from the Mounties stated.

Since Cholo's death, RCMP stated, police have followed "any and all leads."

In 2017, a suspect was arrested, but later released without being charged.

Despite receiving several calls from people offering information related to the case, the Mounties stated investigators continue to believe "someone in the community has information and they have not yet brought it forward," the news release stated.

photo courtesy of Edward Cholo
Four years after the death of Billy Allen Cholo, 45, of Fort Simpson, RCMP continue to investigate. Police maintain some in the community know more than they're saying.

On the grass-roots sticker campaign, RCMP stated, "anytime a community member brings positive attention to an unsolved file, the RCMP are supportive of their actions," spokesperson Marie York-Condon wrote, adding the efforts are "keeping Billy's name and file in the minds of the citizens.

"If this initiative brings one tip or lead forward, we will have more today than we did yesterday. We still believe there are person(s) who have crucial information that have yet to come forward. We encourage them to do so today, as soon as possible."

In early March, News North requested an update from RCMP on the four-year-old homicide investigation.

"The investigation into the homicide of Billy Cholo remains open and active. This case has been challenging in that the RCMP believes there are person(s) that have information that have yet to come forward," York-Condon wrote in an email dated March 6.

Anyone with information related to the unsolved case is asked to contact Fort Simpson RCMP at 867-695-1111. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can also call Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS, visit online at www.nwtnutips.com, (click on "submit a web tip") or text: nwtnutips to 274637.

More to come.