UPDATED: Regina man charged with allegedly killing two women

Eichler is the same 32-year-old man who had been charged in the death of Goforth. The 21-year-old woman was the victim of Regina's seventh murder in 2013. Her body was found in an alley behind the 1700 block of McAra street on Sept. 25, 2013.

Eichler was arrested on New Year's Eve, charged with second-degree murder in Goforth's death. On Friday morning, RPS withdrew that charge and instead charged Eichler with first-degree murder in the case.

Confirming her worst fear

Michele Bear stood inside the RPS headquarters surrounded by family after learning that her daughter's missing persons case is now considered a murder. Even with the devastating news, she told the media she was glad to have some new information about what happened to Richele.

“I'm glad that this is happening. I'm glad that they're finally charging someone,” Michele said.

It was just the day before when Michele granted an exclusive interview to News Talk Radio talking about her daughter's lifestyle leading up to her disappearance. Michele stood outside a house two blocks away from her own North Central Regina home – a house that, she says, Richele was being prostituted out of.

News Talk Radio will bring you more on this interview on Monday.

Police Chief Troy Hagen spoke to the media Friday morning as well, confirming his investigators have gathered enough information to determine Richele has died, even though her body hasn't been recovered. He also confirmed that Eichler's case could mark a disturbing first for the Queen City.

“If he is convicted, he would meet the criteria as a serial killer,” Hagan said. That criteria is defined by the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit as the 'unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender in separate events.' Hagan explained that the definition applies to Canadian cases as well.

Hagan says there's no evidence, at this point, that Eichler is linked to any other cases. However, that possibility is still a question in Michele's mind.

“I don't know if there's any other women that he's done that to. I hope not,” Michele said.

Eichler appears in court

Eichler made his first court appearance Friday morning to face the new charges. Goforth's mother Maxine was in the court room with family members to once again see Eichler face a judge.

“Justice is being done for these girls,” Maxine told reporters just before walking into the court house. “That's setting an example.”

Maxine said she wasn't surprised to see charges upgraded against the man charged in her daughter's death. She also isn't shocked to see him facing charges in another woman's death, and she wonders if he's responsible for more.

“You go down in North Central, you see pictures on the building of the missing women … of course, anybody's going to think that. He's charged for two. But time will tell.”

Family of both women packed into the court room as Eichler's name was called. A collective gasp could be heard from the spectators. Some began weeping.

Eichler will next appear in court by video on May 23.

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by paNOW Staff

UPDATED: Regina man charged with allegedly killing two women

What's Trending