WINNIPEG -- Residents of God's Lake Narrows First Nation say the victim of an apparent homicide that took place there New Year's Day was the older brother of the man charged in connection with his death.

RCMP were called to a house fire on the remote northern Manitoba reserve about 5 a.m. Friday. Emergency crews were unable to rescue a person still inside, and the body of a 26-year-old was pulled from the home after the fire was put out.

The next day, 22-year-old Joey Okemow was charged with manslaughter, criminal negligence causing death and arson disregard for human life.

RCMP have not released the name or sex of the victim, but it's believed the person killed was George Okemow, the suspect's older brother.

A cousin, who also lives in God's Lake Narrows, told the Winnipeg Sun that the house belonged to the brothers' father and that their mother previously passed away. The father now lives in Winnipeg, the cousin said.

It's not known if the person whose body was found in the home died from smoke inhalation or some other cause.

An autopsy had apparently been scheduled for Saturday at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, but Manitoba RCMP spokeswoman Sgt. Line Karpish said yesterday that a post-mortem is now expected to take place today.

Police previously said it may be some time before the body can be positively identified.

The death is Mantoba's first homicide of 2010.