A mentally challenged male has been charged with manslaughter in connection to the death of a Camrose mental health worker.

A 41-year-old woman was found dead inside the suspect's residence on Feb. 13th.

Originally, the death of 41-year-old mental health worker Valerie Diane Wolski was believed to be suspicious. But police later confirmed her death to be a homicide.

Police were called to the residence in Camrose on a report of a sudden death. There were no signs of trauma on the body of the victim. Police have not released the cause of death.

The suspect was identified as being the lone client who lived in the residence and was under the victim's care.

Terrence Wade Saddleback, 25, has been charged with one count of manslaughter.

"Very low levels of his abilities to communicate with us did cause us some challenges but no more challenges than an individual who would choose to remain silent or not cooperate with a police investigation," said Camrose Police Chief Darrell Kambeitz.

Neighbours say Saddleback moved in about three months ago and don't know a lot about it.

"They seemed to come and go and I figured well, they were quite capable of being, like he lived there alone," said resident Rosemary Broen.

Police say Saddleback required 24-hour care. The caregiver who was next on shift discovered Wolski's body.

Saddleback made a court appearance in Camrose on Wednesday. In a letter entered into court, an official with a mental health care facility in Ponoka where the accused was taken after the woman died, Saddleback is described as having "associated behavioural disturbance, including impulsivity, which historically has included agitation and aggression towards other people.

An investigation has been launched by the province, looking into whether Wolski's employer, the Canadian Mental Health Association, completed all mandatory risk assessments in this case.

"There are inherent dangers in some of the jobs. Care workers and kudos go to them because they often work with very difficult clients," said Minister of Employment and Immigration Thomas Lukaszuk.

Saddleback has been transferred to Alberta Hospital in Edmonton where he will undergo a mental health assessment to see whether he's fit to stand trial.

With files from Laura Tupper