In Chetwynd, British Columbia, a man appeared in provincial court on Tuesday, now facing an elevated charge of first-degree murder. Kenneth Albert Wood, initially accused of second-degree murder in connection to the death of Carlene Engellend in Chetwynd last March, is now confronted with a more severe charge. First-degree murder, as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada, involves a planned and deliberate killing, often with premeditation. Wood participated in the court proceedings via video from the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre, where he is currently detained. During a virtual appearance on January 8, Wood had the opportunity to choose between a jury trial or a judge-only trial. However, the court adjourned the session to January 20 to allow the Crown to provide additional evidence for the defense to examine.
Engellend was discovered deceased on March 9, 2025, when emergency services responded to a medical distress call. The RCMP initially deemed the death suspicious and launched a major crimes investigation. Court records from earlier indicate that Wood was charged with second-degree murder in July 2025. Chetwynd is situated in the Eastern Foothills of the Rocky Mountains, approximately 240 kilometers north of Prince George, British Columbia.
