The B.C. family of a man held captive and tortured for months says they're relieved to hear that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of the young man's roommate.
In April, 26-year-old Dustin LaFortune was dropped off at a hospital in Regina. Weighing just 87 pounds, he had been badly disfigured, with parts of his lips and tongue cut off.
His cousin Marcel LaFortune told CTV News that the damage done to Dustin -- a strapping young man formerly weighting at 245 pounds -- was shocking.
"It was inhumane and absolutely uncalled for," he said.
Dustin's former roommate, 30-year-old Dustin Ward Paxton, is now wanted for aggravated assault, sexual assault and forcible confinement.
The news is a comfort to the LaFortune family.
"It's such a relief, such a comfort, to know that Dustin can begin to feel safer," his mother Renee LaFortune said.
Dustin LaFortune had been working as a mover and living in Calgary when he disappeared in January. Unbeknownst to his family, a Regina apartment was also rented in his name.
Police say the case has been a challenging one since it opened up four months ago.
"It stretched from British Columbia to Winnipeg, across four different provinces including different police agencies. The second challenge that occurred is that the victim couldn't provide a statement to the Calgary Police Service immediately, due to his injuries," Calgary Det. Doug Crippen said.
LaFortune has recovered his strength since then, according to his mother.
"He's eating, he's talking, he's laughing. Physically, he is very healthy and very stable," she said.
But his mental condition is a different story -- Dustin LaFortune has suffered a severe brain injury.
"He will never be what he was before. His potential has changed completely," his mother said.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jim Beatty
