Man who fled Nova Scotia after 2021 homicide arrested in Montreal

A man who fled Nova Scotia after a 2021 homicide will now answer to the charge of second-degree murder after being located in Montreal.

Valdo (C.J.) Pauyo, 29, is accused of murdering 42-year-old Bert Knockwood, who was found dead in a Millbrook, N.S., home on July 12, 2021.

Knockwood's obituary described him as a talented bassist, DJ and producer whose infectious laugh "could fill a room."

After Knockwood's death, Pauyo fled Nova Scotia. He was charged with second-degree murder, and a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest was issued in December 2021.

At that time, a charge against another individual accused of being an accessory after the fact to murder was withdrawn by the Crown because they felt there was no realistic prospect of conviction.

Bert Knockwood, left, with his father, Doug, in April 2016. (Bert Knockwood/Facebook)

In a news release issued Tuesday, RCMP said Pauyo was recently added to a national most-wanted list called the BOLO Program, which led to a tip about a possible sighting in the Montreal area.

Pauyo was arrested in Montreal on April 26 by local police and Nova Scotia RCMP.

He flew back to Nova Scotia a day later and will appear in Truro Supreme Court on May 7.

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