WINNIPEG - A 13-year-old boy from Thompson is charged with second-degree murder in the death of a man whose body was found more than a month after he vanished.

And RCMP say more suspects are likely to be charged in the homicide.

The boy was arrested Wednesday and charged yesterday in the death of Bernard Hart, 37, whose remains were found in a wooded area east of Thompson on July 8.

Hart, of Oxford House First Nation, had not been seen since June 4.

"We do expect more arrests," said RCMP spokeswoman Sgt. Line Karpish.

Karpish didn't say, however, whether Hart is suspected to have been assaulted or slain by a group of people.

She also didn't speculate on possible weapons used, other potential suspects or the location of the alleged killing.

"We have strong supporting evidence that there were more than this young person involved in this matter. These people are being sought," Karpish said, declining to reveal whether other suspects might be youths.

An initial autopsy wasn't able to determine the cause of death, though an RCMP investigation determined it to be a suspected homicide.

Hart's body was exhumed for further testing in October and the second examination turned up evidence the man had been murdered, said Mounties.

'Amazed'

"You would be amazed what 13-year-olds can do," Karpish said, citing other Manitoba crimes and homicides allegedly involving children or young teens.

"It's not as common to have a 13-year-old -- that's a little bit younger. But having said that, we've been involved in investigations involving youth who weren't much older."

The boy -- whose name can't be released because of his age -- is in custody in Thompson and slated to appear in provincial court Monday.

RCMP are asking anyone with information on the case to call them in Thompson at (204) 677-6909 or Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

ross.romaniuk@sunmedia.ca