Man charged with 2nd-degree murder in death of woman found at Calgary hotel

A 29-year-old man has been charged in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found in a Calgary hotel earlier this week.

In a news release issued Friday night, police said Vladimir Ngbangbo Soki, of Calgary, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Sharilyn Shelley Ann Gagnon, and also aggravated assault in connection with an attack on another man.

Earlier in the day, police announced they had made an arrest in connection with Gagnon’s death but that charges had not yet been formally laid.

Gagnon was found in a room at the Traveller’s Inn in northeast Calgary on Tuesday night after reports of a disturbance.

Investigators said they believe she was killed sometime on Tuesday, but have not released her cause of death.

“Our detectives continue to investigate and believe this was a targeted attack and that it was domestic in nature,” Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta said.

Police said evidence also points to a link between the homicide and a serious assault on another man, who is being treated in hospital for serious, life-altering injuries.

Gagnon’s death marks the city’s second homicide of 2021, police said.

A GoFundMe page has been created to raise money for a trust fund meant to benefit Gagnon’s children.

Anyone with information on the homicide is asked to contact the homicide tip line at 403-428-8877 or the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers.

–With files from Global News’ Phil Heidenreich