SASKATOON – One of Canada’s most wanted fugitives has been brought back to Saskatchewan to face a murder charge. He appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court Friday morning.
Jonathan Ouellet-Gendron is charged with first-degree murder in the May 2022 shooting death of Brandon Baxandall in Saskatoon.
Ouellet-Gendron was placed on Canada’s top 25 wanted fugitive list, taking the 10th spot on the BOLO program.
Ouellet-Gendron was arrested by the Canada Border Services Agency, Mascouche Major Crime Investigation Division and the Sûreté du Québec Airport Unit as he was trying to re-enter Canada earlier this month.
Brandon Baxandall’s mother, Melanie, told SaskToday that Ouellet-Gendron evaded capture by fleeing to Mexico.
Melanie wasn’t able to be in Saskatoon court on Aug. 15 to see her son’s accused killer because she says she wasn’t notified by authorities of when Ouellet-Gendron would be brought back to Saskatchewan and appearing in court.
“None of us live in Saskatchewan,” Melanie said on Friday. “I would have attended if I had known. [It’s] very disappointing.”
Ouellet-Gendron also faces drug trafficking and weapons offences charges dating back to 2020 and 2021.
Ouellet-Gendron was remanded in custody and is now scheduled back in Saskatoon court on Sept. 4.
