There has been a significant step in a first-degree murder case on the west coast of the province.

Thirty-three-year-old Justin Campbell was charged last September after the body of a 69-year-old woman was found in her Deer Lake home.

Campbell was also charged with theft over $5,000 from the victim.

In Corner Brook provincial court yesterday, dates were set for the preliminary inquiry during the last week of August and first week of September.

RCMP have confirmed that Campbell and the victim, Eva Banfield, were related, but have not said how.

It’s alleged the crimes occurred sometime between August 30 and September 7 of last year.

Campbell remains in custody at the correctional centre in Bishop’s Falls.