Billy Cholo homicide: RCMP use drone to photograph scene

Police used an unmanned aerial vehicle in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., Thursday to get a bird's-eye view of the area where Billy Cholo's body was found.

Investigators are searching the community of about 1,200 for information about the unsolved crime.

Cholo went missing in mid-December 2013. Searchers discovered his body in January 2014, and police deemed Cholo's death a homicide.

One year later, police still don't have a suspect and no charges have been laid.

Billy's uncle, Edward Cholo, spoke out late last year, saying people in town know who was involved in the death of his 45-year-old nephew, and asking why police aren't doing more about it.

RCMP spokesperson Const. Elenore Sturko says investigators received more information after Edward spoke out.

"They are confident that there are other people who still have information and could come forward," she said. "They're in town at this time hoping that those individuals will speak with them."

Aerial photos will help the courts

RCMP Sgt. Chris Self, who operated the remote-controlled aircraft, said police try to take aerial photos of any outdoor crime scene.

"It certainly assists the courts when we're going to represent the scene," he said.

"If somebody's charged and we're taking it to court, having the aerial photos gives a really good lay of the land that you can't get from just ground level."

Self said weather prevented them from taking aerial photos when Cholo's body was first found.

"Now we're looking at about the same time of year, the same type of environmental and lighting conditions, just with a little bit better weather, actually, taking the photos," he said.

RCMP managed to get some aerial photos before the machine crashed. They are checking the photos to see if they're sufficient for their purposes.​

The unmanned aerial vehicle is returning to headquarters while RCMP contact the manufacturer.