After a 16 year investigation, a Kelowna man named Neil George Snelson has been arrested in connection with the murder of Jennifer Cusworth.

Snelson appeared briefly in court Monday. The tall, balding 43-year-old man appeared harried and nervous. Snelson is currently charged with first-degree murder, with his first formal court appearance set for Nov. 16.

Defence lawyer Wade Jenson said Snelson is coping with the situation, but is agitated nonetheless. A plea has not yet been entered. Jenson said he anticipates a large amount of background material to come forward first, due to the length of the investigation.

Jenson emphasized that Snelson is still presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“He is distressed — he’s perplexed, as anyone would be finding themselves in that situation.”

On Oct. 17, 1993, Cusworth was found murdered alongside a private driveway in the 3900 block of Swamp Road in Kelowna. Police at the time reported she had been bludgeoned to death and left in a water-filled ditch. At the time it was believed that a taxi driver was the last to see her walking at Bernard and Ethel Streets.

Cusworth had moved to Kelowna in August of that year and was enrolled in the Human Services Worker program at Okanagan University College. She was staying with her aunt and uncle.

On the evening of Oct. 15, 1993, Cusworth joined some friends at Iggy’s Night Club where they learned of an after hours party at a private residence. She and several of her friends attended the party, at 1791 Richter St., where there were about 150 people. Cusworth was last seen at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 16, 1993.

Snelson’s identity was released Monday by Kelowna RCMP. Const. Steve Holmes who said Jennifer’s parents, Jean and Terry Cusworth, will be coming to Kelowna in the next couple of weeks to speak about the possible end to the long investigation.

Holmes said Snelson was arrested at noon on Oct. 23 without incident. He confirmed that Snelson was at the house party on Richter Street where Jennifer was last seen alive in 1993, and was interviewed previously by police.

He said DNA evidence collected from the scene was one part of the investigation, but that there were many other factors leading to Snelson’s arrest.

Holmes said Snelson was living in Kelowna at the time of his arrest, and has no prior criminal record. He added that police acquired information over several months that led them to suspect Snelson.

Holmes said new information came to police after Jean and Terry spoke to the media in mid-October on the latest anniversary of Jennifer’s death.

Holmes noted Jean and Terry have been notified that an arrest has been made.

“We can’t imagine what they’ve been through over the past 16 years.”