On January 4, 2019 just before 2:00 p.m., members of the South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police responded to a residence at Concession 4 East Brant in the Municipality of Brockton for an injured male.

South Bruce OPP and Bruce County Paramedic Services attended the residence, locating a male with vital signs absent. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The male has been identified as Steven Berfelz, 53-years-old, of Brockton, Ontario.

On January 5, 2019, Ronald Seifried, 57-years-old, of West Grey Township was arrested and charged with second degree murder, contrary to section 229 of the Criminal Code (CC).

Under the direction of Detective Inspector Randy Gaynor, OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), members of the South Bruce OPP Crime Unit, with the assistance of OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), Technical Collision Investigation (TCI) and Forensic Identification Services (FIS), continue to investigate.

The accused appeared by video at the Ontario Court of Justice in London on January 5, 2019 where he was remanded into custody. A subsequent court appearance has been scheduled for January 7, 2019 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Walkerton.

The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

source: media release, South Bruce OPP