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The body of Tyeshia Jones was found Jan. 28, 2011, near Duncan on Vancouver Island.

The mothers of two slain Vancouver Island women spoke about anger and forgiveness just one day after police arrested a 24-year-old suspect in connection with the killings.

The RCMP said Saturday that William Gordon Robert Elliott was picked up without incident in Duncan, B.C., on Friday and faces two counts of first degree murder.

The arrest follows the investigation into the 2010 and 2011 killings of Karrie-Ann Stone, 42, and Tyeshia Jones, 18.

"Karrie was a type of person, she just forgave everybody," said Bev Stone, the mother of Karrie-Ann. "No matter what anybody did to her, she always had the smile on her face."

Meantime, Mary Jim, the mother of Ms. Jones, said the ordeal has been like a roller-coaster ride, and she had to finally let her anger go.

"I've been angry, waking up angry, and I can't live like that because I have kids," said Ms. Jim, adding family members know the suspect.

"My nephews actually grew up with him," she said. "They went to school with him. They knew who his friends were."

Karrie-Ann Stone was last seen July 7, 2010 and was reported missing by her mother on July 12. That same afternoon, her burned remains were located in a wooded area.

On Jan. 22, 2011, Ms. Jones was reported missing by her mother. Ms. Jones did not return home from a gathering the night before.

A land and air search took place over the next week, and Ms. Jones' body was found in a wooded area Jan. 28.

Supt. Jim Gresham, the officer in charge of the RCMP's major crimes section in B.C., said a single suspect was identified after the investigations into the two killings converged.

He said the investigations took thousands of hours, hundreds of interviews and detailed forensic analysis.

"This arrest brings the family one step closer to understanding what happened to their loved ones, yet their painful journey is far from over," Supt. Gresham said.

"We remain committed to them, as we have from the start, and thank them for their incredible strength, patience, and understanding they have shown our team."

Mr. Elliott remains in custody and is expected to appear in Duncan provincial court early next week.

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