Family of murdered southern Alberta man reflect back two years later, suspect charged

A 32-year-old Medicine Hat man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a Brooks man who was found deceased in early 2020.
Two years after his death, the victim's father says they are still grieving.
On Jan. 13, 2020, Dylan Denault was found dead in a rural area south of Medicine Hat and east of Highway 3. It's a day his father will never forget.
“A knock on our door at two o'clock in the morning - the RCMP telling us he (Dylan) was a victim of a criminal act is what he said,” said John Denault, Dylan’s father.
But police weren't able to share much more about what happened to his son. That prompted him to file a freedom of information request to obtain the medical examiners report. It shows his son had gunshot wounds when he was found.
“From what I read, he was scraped up and everything so he was probably forced out to where he was taken,” said Denault.
Two years to the day of the discovery of Denault's remains, RCMP charged 32-year-old Julian Conrad Morris with second-degree murder. His father is relieved by the arrest.
“They just needed enough evidence to be able to bring the fellow to trial, you know, if they don’t have enough evidence they’re wasting their time. So, we were patient and waited till they had enough and apparently now they do, and that’s great news,” said Denault.
Morris is known to police, in 2015, he was charged after stealing a vehicle from a gas station in Abbotsford B.C.
Denault's father doesn't know the pairs connection and says while his son did struggle with his mental health, he doesn't know why someone would want to hurt him.
“He was struggling, he was struggling to find his place in life - but he sure didn't deserve to die,” said Denault.
Dylan Denault
Denault's death has had a devastating impact on the family who in an attempt to heal moved to Vancouver Island for a change of scenery. But the pain remains as they grieve a son and remember him as always caring and kind.
“We’re starting to heal until this came up - it opens old wounds,” said Denault.
Morris is set to appear in court in Medicine Hat on Jan. 20.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
UPDATED | Ont. and Que. scramble to recover from thunderstorm that left at least 8 dead
Clean-up efforts are underway after a massive thunderstorm on Saturday left a trail of destruction in Southern Ontario and Quebec.

What is a 'derecho'? Climatologist explains Saturday's powerful storm
The storm that moved across Ontario and Quebec Saturday is known as a 'derecho', a powerful kind of windstorm that is long lasting and far-reaching.
Group of Ontario lawyers petitions courts to keep proceedings virtual
More than 1,000 lawyers in Ontario have signed a petition to make all court appearances 'presumptively virtual unless parties and their counsel agree otherwise.'
How concerned should we be about monkeypox?
Global health officials have sounded the alarm over rising cases in Europe and elsewhere of monkeypox, a type of viral infection more common to west and central Africa. Here's what we know about the current outbreak and the relative risk.
Officials expect 3 to 4 days to restore power across Ottawa following storm
Hydro Ottawa says it will take several days to restore power and clean up after a severe storm damaged hydro poles and wires on Saturday.
Flames engulf Indigenous-owned resort in B.C. Interior
Guests at an Indigenous-owned resort in B.C.'s Interior were evacuated Sunday morning and watched as firefighters tried to contain the flames that had engulfed the building's roof.
78,000 pounds of infant formula arrives in U.S.
A military plane carrying enough specialty infant formula for more than half a million baby bottles arrived Sunday in Indianapolis, the first of several flights expected from Europe aimed at relieving a shortage that has sent parents scrambling to find enough to feed their children.
Russia presses Donbas attacks as Polish leader praises Kyiv
Russia pressed its offensive in eastern Ukraine on Sunday as Poland's president traveled to Kyiv to support the country's European Union aspirations, becoming the first foreign leader to address the Ukrainian parliament since the start of the war.
Solemn day of ceremony to mark anniversary of Kamloops unmarked graves
Beginning at sunrise on Monday, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc will host a solemn day of ceremony and reflection to mark the one-year anniversary of unmarked graves being located at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.