The suspicious death of an eight-year-old girl whose remains were found on Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis has been ruled a homicide, Edmonton police said.
In a Tuesday news release, police said an autopsy by an Edmonton medical examiner on Monday found that the girl, who can’t be named under a publication ban, was killed as a result of “blunt impact trauma”.
In the early the evening of April 24, 2023, Edmonton Police Service or EPS, did a wellness check at the house of a 27-year-old woman who had been caring for the eight-year-old girl. Police were not able to find the child at the residence.
According to the release, due to “suspicious circumstances” police began a homicide investigation. EPS said that they worked with the RCMP and other agency partners to search for the young girl’s remains.
The father of the girl is incarcerated and according to family had to be informed through his lawyer that his child had died.
Three people have been charged with the child’s murder including Edward Nievera, 66, who was charged with accessory to first degree murder and indignity to a dead body.
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The news release said police are not releasing the names of the 27-year-old woman who has been charged with first-degree murder and committing an indignity to a body or a 25-year-old-man was also charged with accessory to first degree murder and committing an indignity to a body.
An Edmonton police spokesperson could not confirm if any of the accused are known to police.
The rationale for not releasing the names of some of the accused is “to protect the identities of several other young children related to the deceased,” said the news release.
A rally for the girl’s family was held over the weekend with over 100 people coming to pay respects to the family.
