A 21-year-old Calgary man police say was known to them has been charged with killing Arcelie Laoagan.

Calgary police announced Friday that they have charged Christopher James Watcheston with first-degree murder.

Arcelie Laoagan worked two jobs in Calgary and hoped her five sons would one day join her in Canada.
(CBC)

"It is disturbing when there's a crime of this nature, when it's that violent and when it's random," said police Chief Rick Hanson.

Laoagan's battered body was found in a parking lot near the Franklin LRT station last week.

Investigators sifted through hours of LRT surveillance video and believe the accused was on the same C-Train as Laoagan on the night of Jan. 17, and that he followed her when she left the station.

Watcheston has lived in Calgary for less than a year and is currently awaiting trial for criminal offences, said Staff Sgt. Kevin Forsen of the homicide unit.

A passerby found Arcelie Laoagan's body near the Franklin LRT station.
(CBC)

Last June, Watcheston was charged with assault causing bodily harm in Banff but was released on bail. A month later, he was arrested for breaking into Calgary's North Hill Mall. He was again freed on bail but was placed under house arrest.

Police issued warning to women

The possibility a stranger killed Laoagan led police to warn women earlier this week to take precautions while walking at night, and city council to review the safety of the transit system.

"I think the timely arrest in regard to this offence was very important for the level of anxiety that existed in this city," said Hanson.

Watcheston was arrested Thursday afternoon in the city's northwest, said police.

"I pity him because the life he made for himself, ahead, for his future because he destroyed his life," said Laoagan's sister, Marlyn Hori, in a hoarse, tired voice.

Arcelie Laoagan's siblings Caroline Maximo, left, Marlyn Hori, at the podium, and Oswald Sombrito, right, speak at her memorial.
(CBC)

Hori praised the police for their "professionalism" and said news of the charge gives the family some peace.

Police have not released Laoagan's cause of death but the medical examiner's office had to confirm her identity through fingerprint samples because her face was beaten so badly her family did not recognize her.

Laoagan worked two jobs in Calgary and was waiting for approval on a sponsorship application to bring her five sons, age 8 to 19, from the Philippines to Canada. She had left a night shift and was headed home on the night she was killed.

The victim had a commerce degree and aspired to work as an accountant in Canada.
(CBC)

About 1,000 attended a memorial service for Laoagan Thursday night at the southwest Calgary church where she sang in the choir.

Laoagan — who, her family said, preferred to be called Cel —had a commerce degree and hoped to one day work as an accountant in Canada.