Murder charges laid

• 
  Jeff Labine
  Det. Ryan Gibson
• 
  Jamie Smith
  A police cruiser is parked at the Travelodge Friday afternoon

Police charged two Thunder Bay women with first-degree murder in connection to the death of a 30-year-old-woman at a south side hotel on Friday.

Thunder Bay Police Service charged Joanne Vivier, 33, and Michelle Morris, 28, in connection to the death of 30-year-old Verna Patricia Sturgeon of Big Trout Lake.

Police discovered the body of Sturgeon at the Travelodge hotel on Arthur Street around 10 a.m. Friday.

Police say Vivier surrendered herself at police headquarters while officers’ arrested Morris at a south-side residence.

Det. Ryan Gibson said mentioned alcohol was involved but couldn’t reveal too many details until a post-mortem was completed. While he wouldn’t speculate on the cause of death or whether the two accused knew the victim, he said police believe it was not a random chance.

"I feel the case is very strong at this time and it’s a very serious charge…it’s as serious as it gets," Gibson said. "This wasn’t an attack out of nowhere. As far as how well they knew each other…I think it will be too early at this point in the investigation to comment on that."

Both women are to appear in court on Thursday, Sept. 9.