I'm thinking its probably Stictoleptura canadensis, but not absolutely certain. The thorax and head are wrong for Desmocerus.

Yes, not Desmocerus, I would be more happy with Brachyleptura rubrica, as S.canadensis is usually only red in the anterior half of the elytra.

without any doubts.
Some varieties might have also all red (or all black!) elytra with all intermediate forms. Let's check the types at http://plant.cdfa.ca.gov/byciddb/thumb.asp?g=Stictoleptura

Brachyleptura has dehiscent elytra and different yellow spots on the antennae (http://plant.cdfa.ca.gov/byciddb/details.asp?id=6918)

in the pic that the elytra were dehiscent, and I did not have information that the antennal markings made a big difference in these two genera. I guess I am still not convinced from the image, but I have never seen a series of both to compare and contrast to be on one side or the other.

Do you think the pictured specimen is male of female?
If female, rubrica females have different elytral shape (longer and parallel-sided) and antennal rapports (shorter, especially the first antennomeres).
If male, rubrica males have stouter and more triangular elytra.

So, the apparent dehishent elytra are due to the not perfectly closed hind wings.

Thanks!