Victim identified in northeast Edmonton homicide; murder warrant issued for suspect

A second-degree murder warrant was issued Wednesday in connection to the suspicious death of a 25-year old woman in Edmonton’s Kildare neighbourhood on Monday.

Officers were originally called to a blue house in the area of 79 Street and 143 Avenue for a weapons complaint.

Neighbours reported hearing a loud bang at around 2 p.m. Shortly after, a house was surrounded by police and a victim on a stretcher was carried out to a waiting ambulance.

READ MORE: Suspicious death of woman, 25, under investigation in north Edmonton

The woman’s family has identified the victim as Brittany Vandelagemaat. The mother of three died in hospital.

An autopsy was done on Wednesday and her death deemed a homicide. Police said the exact cause of death “remains undetermined pending further testing.”

Edmonton police say the suspect, 35-year-old Kenneth Richards, allegedly broke into a home in the area and, a short time later, a gunshot was reportedly heard.

Police said Wednesday they suspected Richards may have run to an address nearby, in the area of 143 Avenue and 82 Street, but they didn’t find him.

Not long after the original call, the tactical unit and armoured vehicle responded to the Norshire Gardens townhouse complex just a few blocks west of the home. Officers had full vests and helmets on, and had their long guns drawn, focusing on one home in the complex.

At about 5:30 p.m., officers were seen working in the backyard of that unit, as the tactical team left.

As of Wednesday evening, the suspect remained at large.

Richards is wanted on province-wide warrants for second-degree murder, housebreaking with intent, possession of a prohibited loaded/restricted firearm, possession of a prohibited firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm and breach of recognizance.

Documents show Richards has a criminal record and is still subject to a 10-year firearm ban issued in 2010 when he was sentenced to seven months in prison after being convicted of assault with a weapon.

Richards is described as five-foot-eleven and 160 pounds with blue eyes and short brown hair with a receding hairline. He has several tattoos, including a symbol on his upper torso and the name “Brittany” on his left forearm. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Police said Richards and Vandelagemaat knew each other. Her family told Global News Richards is the father of Vandelagemaat’s children.

Anyone with information about the suspect’s location should not approach him but call police immediately at 780-423-4567.