Carstairs man charged with murder of Calgary mother Cindy Enger

CALGARY – Police have laid charges in the death of a Calgary mother whose body was found in her Cranston home in late January.

Officers were called to the home in the 200 block of Cramond Close S.E. at around 2 p.m. on Jan. 24 for a check on welfare. When they forced their way into the home, police discovered the lifeless body of 51-year-old Cindy Enger.

At the time, police deemed the death suspicious. However, police said Monday further investigation later determined Enger’s death was a homicide.

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Investigators took one man into custody on Friday. The following day, officers executed a series of search warrants: a business in Airdrie and two residences near Carstairs, Alta.

Joseph D’Arcy Schluter, 45, of Carstairs, is charged with first-degree murder in connection to Enger’s death. Police said Schluter answered police’s request for information from anyone who knew or lived with Enger.

“We had approximately 15 tenants contact us as a result of our appeal, and they were all cooperative with the investigation, as was Mr. Schluter,” Staff Sgt. Doug Andrus said.

Police said Monday Schluter and Enger “knew each other well.”

“They have known each other for a long time and they recently reconnected,” Andrus said, adding Schluter was not a tenant, but he and Enger were friends.

Andrus said Enger died as a result of being shot. He said the alleged motive would be released during the court process.

Police aren’t seeking more suspects, but are looking to speak with anyone who had contact with Enger in the two months leading up to her death.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or the Homicide Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8877. Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers.

Carstairs is located about 65 kilometres north of Calgary.

With files from Global’s Carolyn Kury de Castillo