Hamilton police say they have arrested David Laurie Scott, 50, of no fixed address, in connection with the brutal murder of Audrey Gleave.

Hamilton Police Staff Sgt. Steven Hrab says Scott was arrested in Brantford on Thursday afternoon without incident. He appeared in a Hamilton court on Friday to face a charge of first degree murder.

Gleave's body was found by a friend in her Lynden home, east of Brantford, Ont. on Dec. 30, 2010. She had been stabbed several times and sexually assaulted.

Police have described the murder of the 73-year-old as "savage" and say she suffered significant trauma.

The former Hamilton teacher retired in 2006 and neighbours say she lived alone.

Scott had reportedly been living in a vacant barn just a few kilometres from the crime scene, and was arrested just a day before her body was found on unrelated charges. At the time police would not say if he was a suspect in the case.

Police say numerous tips from the public played a big role in the arrest, and people who live nearby say they are relieved that a suspect has been identified.

Lee Costa lives in the area, she says "We all have children and families that are close to us. I am just ecstatic that they found him."

Police say the investigation is ongoing, and won't comment on the possibility of other suspects. They are asking anyone with information on Scott's whereabouts around the time of the murder to call police at 905-546-4925.