Calgary police believe two people charged in connection with a quadruple-homicide under investigation since the summer are connected to criminal networks and no longer believe the victims were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Three months ago, the city was shaken by the deaths of four people,” Calgary Police Acting Insp. Paul Wozney said. “Now, following a complex investigation that took investigators to several provinces, the Calgary Police Service has laid charges.”
While police initially said the three victims found in the car were in the wrong place at the wrong time, Wozney said evidence has led investigators to change their theory.
WATCH: Acting Insp. Paul Wozney says police now believe the four victims in a quadruple homicide and two suspects charged are known to each other.
“We are now of the belief — and this is based on the corroboration of records and interviews and other police techniques — that these people are all known to one another.
“I’d go so far as to say there’s loose criminal networks involved.”
The bodies of Cody Pfeiffer and sisters Glynnis Fox and Tiffany Ear were found in a burned-out car in the community of Sage Hill on July 10.
Two days later, the registered owner of that car, Hanock Afowerk, was found dead in a traffic circle off Highway 22.
Yu Chieh Liao, 24, who goes by Diana Liao, and Tewodros Mutugeta Kebede, 25, are both charged with first-degree murder with Afowerk’s death and three counts each of accessory after the fact in the deaths of Fox, Pfeiffer and Ear. Police said the pair could face further charges in the case.
“The evidence thus far supports a charge of first-degree murder only for the murder of Mr. Afowerk,” Wozney said. “The investigation into the death of the three people in the vehicle, that is continuing and it is full steam ahead in that investigation.”
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Watch below: Acting Insp. Paul Wozney announces charges against two people in the investigation into a July quadruple homicide in Sage Hill.
Liao had been identified by police as a person of interest in the case. Both she and Kebede were taken into custody in Toronto at the end of July.
Wozney said Liao had been living in a Calgary community under conditions since she was returned to Alberta. He said Kebede was remanded in custody in Toronto on unrelated charges and recently brought back to Calgary.
Police previously said Liao and Afowerk had a relationship, but wouldn’t speak to the nature of the relationship.
Watch below: Acting Insp. Paul Wozney says more charges could be laid against Tewodros Mutugeta Kebede and Diana Liao as the investigation continues.
Wozney said police are still looking for a location near the Moose Jaw, Sask. Airfields where clothing may have been burned or destroyed.
“We’re asking for people in that area of Saskatchewan…to take a look in that area,” he said. “Perhaps farmers, if anyone knows that area well, if they can crisscross those roads looking for any burned-out locations, looking for that clothing. To this point we’ve been unsuccessful.”
He thanked the Moose Jaw police, Medicine Hat police, RCMP and Toronto Police guns and gangs unit for their assistance throughout the investigation.
Both Liao and Kebede are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Nov. 2.
Police said although charges have been laid, the investigation is ongoing as police believe there are additional people involved.
Anyone who may have information is asked to call Calgary police at 403-266-1234 or contact Crime Stoppers.
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