Victoria man accused in friend's death in Mexico

Mexican authorities are recommending a chargeagainst a Victoria manin the death of his friend in Mexico.

Brian J. Slaterwas arrested Sunday after Roger Corbett, 49, also from Victoria, was found dead in a home in the beachside town of Chicxulub Puerto, near the city of Merida.

The Attorney General's office inYucatan State issued a news releasein Spanishstating Slater (identified as B.J.S.) is accused in the death.

• Victoria man killed in Mexico, 2nd Canadian in custody

He is scheduled to appear in court Monday in the city of Progreso,where evidence will be presented and a judge will decide whether to proceed with charges and a trial.

Slater is being held in custody pending the hearing Monday.

Friends were on vacation

According to family members Slater, Corbett and another friend were vacationing at a home in Chicxulub Puerto, that was owned by Slater's recently deceased father.

Slater is accusedin the statement from the attorney generalof stabbing Corbett with a weapon in the kitchen of the home, wounding him in the thorax and abdomen.

The statement says Corbett died ofblood loss from lacerations to hisliver.

Corbett, a father of four children, operated a painting company in the Victoria area.

Back in Victoria, Corbett'scousin Catherine Royle said family members are devastated and frustrated by tabloid-style rumours about the case, repeated bymedia in Mexico and Canada.

'We just want the innuendo to stop'

"It's really difficult, because you're not getting the information," Catherine Roylesaid. "Things are being said that you know aren't real and there's no evidence."

"We just want the innuendo to stop," she said."He was a great businessman.He loved his kids.They were everything.He was a family guy."

With files from Megan Thomas.