Kelowna

The Kelowna man accused of killing Crystal Gagnon was trying to get out of town when he was arrested.

Mark Dennis Anaka, 31, is charged with first degree murder and made his first court appearance Tuesday morning. He's due back in court October 25.

Gagnon's body was found in Mill Creek behind the Parkinson Rec Centre September 13. She was involved in Kelowna's drug scene.

Anaka is known to police, but RCMP spokesperson, Julie Rattee, says the longtime Kelowna resident only popped on the radar recently.

"He has been known to be involved in the drug scene in Kelowna, but only fairly recently. So, he is known to police, but this isn't someone who has an extensive background in terms of dealing with police."

Rattee says Anaka is was born and raised in Kelowna although he spent a short stint in Calgary.

Court documents at the Kelowna courthouse show the "date of the offence" when Gagnon was murdered as August 28.

Rattee says Anaka was arrested last Friday afternoon at the Kelowna Greyhound bus station.

"It's believed that he was attempting to leave. He did know he was a suspect and that a warrant had been issued for his arrest."

Anaka's friends and family showed up Tuesday for his first court appearance. They refused to talk to the media.

Meantime, the victim's father, Francis Gagnon, says he's relieved that someone has been arrested in his daughter's death.

"I am relieved that the RCMP have captured and arrested this man, in regards to the death of my daughter. I am relieved for so many reasons. If this is truly the person responsible then the justice system will take its course."

Police are not releasing the cause of death.