Global News sources confirm the body of an 8-year-old girl who went missing from west Edmonton earlier this week has been found in Maskwacis.
Police confirmed Saturday afternoon that the remains of the girl were found on Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis by the RCMP and Edmonton Police Service Search Managers.
Police said, while they feel certain these are the remains of the girl they were looking for, an autopsy will provide conclusive evidence. An autopsy is scheduled for May 1.
On Monday evening, police in the west end stopped by to check in on the wellbeing of a child at a home near 87 Avenue and 165 Street, after receiving a wellness check request.
Police said the child was nowhere to be found and began investigating.
“Suspicious circumstances” led police to believe the girl was dead.
A third person – a 25-year-old man – has also been arrested in the case. Police said the man has been charged with accessory after the fact of murder and causing indignity to a dead body in relation to the girl’s death.
A 27-year-old woman has been accused of first-degree murder and committing an indignity to a body, and a 66-year-old man is accused of accessory to first-degree murder and an indignity to a body.
All the accused were known to the girl, police said.
Global News is not identifying the child or family, due to a publication ban.
Police continue to investigate and an update is expected Sunday.
Maskwacis, Alta. is located about 85 kilometres south of Edmonton.