Dean Penney is due in Corner Brook provincial court on Monday, charged with the murder of his former intimate partner.

Jennifer Hillier-Penney disappeared just over seven years ago from the accused’s home in St. Anthony. There has been no sign of her since.

Nonetheless, RCMP told reporters during a news conference Saturday that they are confident they have the evidence to support a charge of first-degree murder.

They would not, however, say what changed to charge Penney now, repeatedly citing the ongoing court process. He was arrested around noon on Friday in the Deer Lake area, but police refused to say where.

Penney made a brief court appearance Saturday afternoon by phone while in custody, and is due to physically appear before a judge on Monday afternoon.

RCMP Insp. Tracy Edwards said the timing of the charge was not lost on her.

“Coincidentally, the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence just concluded,” she said. “Sadly, our investigation concluded that Jennifer’s murder is yet another death due to intimate partner violence in our province. To all those who currently feel unsafe or uncertain about their safety, I urge you to reach out to police and community organizations for assistance.”