A man has been sentenced in connection with a Vancouver homicide investigation that began after human remains were discovered in a fire on the Downtown Eastside more than three years ago, Vancouver police say.

On Jan. 3, 2023, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services responded to reports of a suspicious outdoor fire near Powell Street and Raymur Avenue. After extinguishing the fire, crews discovered human remains.

The remains were later identified as 34-year-old Jeff Jeanty.

On Aug. 10, 43-year-old Dustin Gastl was sentenced to three years in custody after pleading guilty to indignity to human remains.

According to authorities, Gastl is already serving a sentence for an unrelated conviction. The three-year sentence will be served consecutively to his current term of imprisonment.