Body found near Red Earth Creek

Leader staff

One of the two people accused in the murder of man found dead near Red Earth Creek over two years ago has been found guilty.

On February 17, 2022, a jury in Peace River found Winston Derksen guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Edmontonian Faisal Fadul Aden. Police had initially charged Derksen with first-degree murder.

Aden’s body was found off Hwy. 88 near Red Earth Creek on December 4, 2019, as reported in a March 19, 2020 Lakeside Leader article. Aden was 24 at the time of his death. Derksen and a woman were arrested on March 6, 2020 – he in Prince George, B.C., she in Yellowknife.

Derksen’s trial started on February 11 in Peace River Court of Queen’s Bench. The trial finished on Feb. 17, with the jury finding him guilty. Details about the murder were not released. All that was ever reported was that, following the discovery of Aden’s body, police were looking for a couple from Yellowknife. Also mentioned in some police reports at the time was that security camera footage from a gas station in High Level was part of the picture.

Derksen’s next court date is April 11 to set a date for a sentencing hearing. His co-accused is slated for a preliminary hearing in October 2022.