The deaths of two people in North Battleford after a housefire on Christmas Eve are now considered to be homicides, according to the RCMP. The determination was made After the autopsies were performed by the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service on Wednesday.  

The victims have been identified as 25-year-old Alyssa Smith LeCaine from North Battleford and 20-year-old Daphne Bear from Sweetgrass First Nation. The cause of their deaths is not being released as the information is part of the investigation. 

LeCaine and Bear were found in a house in North Battleford when emergency crews responded to a fire on Christmas Eve. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.