On April 26, Valdo (C.J.) Pauyo, a man who was on Canada’s list of top 25 most wanted by law enforcement, was arrested in Montreal in connection to a 2021 homicide in Nova Scotia. The victim, Douglas (Bert) Knockwood, was found dead in a home in Millbrook, N.S. Pauyo, who is 29 years old, allegedly fled Nova Scotia following the homicide. In 2021, the RCMP obtained a Canada-wide arrest warrant for Pauyo, believing that he had changed his appearance to evade capture.
Pauyo is facing a second-degree murder charge in connection to Knockwood’s death. On April 23, he was added to Canada’s BOLO Program, which is a list of the top 25 most wanted individuals in the country. A tip about a possible sighting in the Montreal area led to Pauyo’s arrest three days later by the Québec RCMP Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) and the RCMP Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit. The investigation involved collaboration with various law enforcement agencies, including the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Sûreté du Québec, and the BOLO Program.
Pauyo has been flown back to Nova Scotia and is set to appear before the Supreme Court in Truro, N.S. on May 7. The RCMP expressed gratitude to the public for their assistance in sharing the BOLO Program’s Top 25 Most Wanted List and providing tips to law enforcement. The successful arrest of Pauyo highlights the importance of public cooperation in solving crimes and bringing wanted individuals to justice.
The arrest of Pauyo in connection to the 2021 homicide in Nova Scotia sheds light on the persistent efforts of law enforcement agencies to apprehend individuals on Canada’s most wanted list. Pauyo’s alleged evasion of capture for several months highlights the challenges faced by authorities in locating and arresting fugitives. The collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies, including the RCMP, SPVM, CBSA, Sûreté du Québec, and the BOLO Program, demonstrates the importance of interagency cooperation in solving complex criminal cases.
The victim, Douglas (Bert) Knockwood, was a member of the Sipekne’katik First Nation, emphasizing the impact of this homicide on Indigenous communities in Nova Scotia and across Canada. The arrest of Pauyo brings a sense of justice to the family and loved ones of Knockwood, as well as to the wider community affected by his tragic death. The upcoming court appearance of Pauyo in Truro will provide an opportunity for the legal process to move forward and for accountability to be established in relation to the homicide case.
Overall, the arrest of Valdo (C.J.) Pauyo in Montreal for the 2021 homicide in Nova Scotia highlights the importance of ongoing police investigations and public cooperation in solving crimes. The successful apprehension of Pauyo demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions and bringing closure to victims and their families. As Pauyo faces legal proceedings for his alleged involvement in Douglas (Bert) Knockwood’s death, the justice system will play a critical role in determining the outcome of this case and ensuring that justice is served.
