RCMP are investigating the deaths of a man and his six-year-old daughter after their bodies were discovered in a Red Deer home over the weekend.
Police were called to the home, located in the Lancaster neighbourhood, at around 3:30 p.m. Sunday for a check on welfare. Supt. Ken Foster said police were called to the home by someone who knew the deceased.
On Monday afternoon, the home remained blocked off by police tape. RCMP said there is no risk to the public.
“We’re not looking for any other additional persons at this time in this investigation,” Foster said Monday afternoon.
Watch below: Foster said there is no public safety risk in Red Deer after a man and his six-year-old daughter were found dead on Sunday afternoon.
Neighbours in the area said police went door to door on Sunday, asking for information about anything suspicious that might have happened between Thursday and Sunday. Officers also asked if anyone had surveillance cameras in the area.
Heather, who lives in the area and asked that her last name not be published, said she was devastated to learn what happened.
“It’s not usual around here, it’s pretty quiet,” she said. “It would be devastating anywhere. There was life lost and an innocent child. I’m a mom, so it probably hits closer to home because of that.”
She said she didn’t know the man who lived in the house and didn’t recall ever seeing a child.
The school the girl attended has been notified and is arranging for counsellors to be made available for teachers and students. Foster would not release the name of the school but said it was outside Red Deer.
Foster would not say whether police had been called to the home in the past, nor would he release any further details about the investigation.
“It’s very early on in the investigation and until such time as an autopsy is complete, we can’t speak to manner of death or the complete nature of the investigation.”
He said all deaths are difficult for members of the RCMP and other emergency personnel, especially when they are investigating the death of a child.
“On behalf of the RCMP, I want to express our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” Foster said.
“This is a tragic loss that affects our whole community.”
Watch below: Foster said RCMP and emergency personnel are being taken care of as they investigate the death of a man and his six-year-old daughter.
RCMP said the names of the 39-year-old father and his daughter will not be released at this time.
Neighbours said the bodies were removed from the home at around midnight.
Autopsies are expected to take place in Calgary on Tuesday morning.
RCMP said the major crime unit has been called in to assist with the investigation. Officers said they will remain on scene until after the autopsies are complete.
Watch below: A young girl and her father have been found dead in a Red Deer home. Quinn Ohler has the latest on the investigation and how neighbours are reacting.