Murder charges against a youth in the death of Katheen Leary have been upgraded to first degree.

The 66-year-old Leary, originally from Norway House Cree Nation, was killed inside her home on Cheltenham Cove in Winnipeg's Charleswood neighbourhood on May 19, 2015. When police arrived, she was found suffering from injuries to her upper body and later died.

The youth, who was arrested at the scene, was known to Leary, police have said. They haven't said how the two knew each other, however.

He was initially charged with second degree murder two days later.

"After further investigation and review, a charge of first-degree murder was authorized by the Crown," police said in a press release on Thursday.

The youth cannot be named due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act.