Authorities have discovered the remains of an eight-year-old girl who was reported missing on April 24.
According to Edmonton Police Service (EPS), the body of a young girl was discovered on Saturday on Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis, approximately 100 kilometers south of Edmonton, with the help of EPS search managers and the RCMP. On Saturday, detectives confirmed that they are confident the remains are those of the eight-year-old girl they were searching for. A forensic confirmation from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will be awaited following an autopsy on Monday.
EPS homicide section’s Staff Sgt. Colin Leathem thanked the RCMP and band leaders for their support in the search and recovery of the remains. EPS will provide an update on Monday following the autopsy.
The EPS homicide section took over the investigation after police officers arrived at a residence in the 87 Avenue and 165 Street area and were unable to locate the eight-year-old girl. Due to suspicious circumstances, the homicide section was called in.
On Thursday, police detained a 27-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man in relation to the presumed death of the girl. The woman has been charged with first-degree murder and indignity to a body, while the man has been charged with accessory to first-degree murder and indignity to a body. According to the police, a 25-year-old man has also been charged with accessory after the fact to murder and causing indignity to a dead body in connection with the death of the eight-year-old girl.
To safeguard the privacy of other children connected to the deceased, the identities of the child and the adults are being withheld. All accused were familiar to the girl, according to the police.
