Detectives from the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Homicide Section have located the remains of a young girl.
Earlier today, Saturday, April 29, 2023, with the assistance of the EPS Search Managers and the RCMP, the remains of a young girl were located on Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis. While investigators are confident the remains are those of an 8-year-old girl they were searching for, police will await forensic confirmation from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner following an autopsy on Monday, May 1, 2023.
“We are grateful for the support of the RCMP and the Band leaders of Samson Cree Nation who helped facilitate the search and recovery of the remains,” says S/Sgt. Colin Leathem with the EPS Homicide Section. “This is a significant development in the investigation, but we still have a lot more work to do.”
In addition to the 66-year-old man and 27-year-old woman who were charged on Thursday, April 27, 2023, a 25-year-old man has also been charged with accessory after the fact to murder and causing indignity to a dead body in relation to the death of an 8-year-old girl. The name of the child and the names of the adults are being withheld at this time to protect the identity of other children related to the deceased. All accused were known to the girl.
Further updates will be provided on Monday following the autopsy. No further information is available at this time.
Background
In the early the evening of Monday, April 24, 2023, West Branch patrol officers responded to a check on welfare call in relation to a child at a residence in the area of 87 Avenue and 165 Street. Upon arrival, members were unable to locate the child and began investigating. Due to the circumstances, Homicide Section took over the investigation and organized a coordinated search involving multiple EPS units and other external agency partners, including the RCMP, to search for the young girl’s remains.
“We are grateful for the support of the RCMP and the Band leaders of Samson Cree Nation who helped facilitate the search and recovery of the remains,” says S/Sgt. Colin Leathem with the EPS Homicide Section. “This is a significant development in the investigation, but we still have a lot more work to do.”
In addition to the 66-year-old man and 27-year-old woman who were charged on Thursday, April 27, 2023, a 25-year-old man has also been charged with accessory after the fact to murder and causing indignity to a dead body in relation to the death of an 8-year-old girl. The name of the child and the names of the adults are being withheld at this time to protect the identity of other children related to the deceased. All accused were known to the girl.
Further updates will be provided on Monday following the autopsy. No further information is available at this time.
Background
In the early the evening of Monday, April 24, 2023, West Branch patrol officers responded to a check on welfare call in relation to a child at a residence in the area of 87 Avenue and 165 Street. Upon arrival, members were unable to locate the child and began investigating. Due to the circumstances, Homicide Section took over the investigation and organized a coordinated search involving multiple EPS units and other external agency partners, including the RCMP, to search for the young girl’s remains.