A woman died trying to stop her vehicle from being stolen in central Alberta and now RCMP are treating it as a homicide.
It happened around 6 p.m. Tuesday in Red Deer, at a home near 59 Street between Gaetz Avenue and 54 Avenue, just across the river from the downtown core.
Police said Reichel Alpeche, 30, discovered someone was trying to steal her vehicle.
“As a result of her attempt to stop the theft, (Alpeche) died as a result of injuries received when the suspect fled in her vehicle,” an updated news release Friday said.
An autopsy was done on Wednesday, after which the medical examiner determined her death was a homicide.
RCMP were searching for Alpeche’s stolen vehicle: a black 2018 Kia Rio with Alberta licence plate BZZ-3962, with front-end damage.
On Monday, RCMP said the vehicle had been located.
A car similar to Reichel Alpeche’s stolen Black 2018 Kia Rio.Police said if the vehicle is spotted, to call 911 right away and not approach anyone inside it.
Red Deer RCMP are also looking for anyone who witnessed the theft, or has dashcam video in the area of Kerry Wood Drive/54 Avenue, to 59 Street, to Riverview Avenue, from Feb. 1, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Those with information are asked to call Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575.