(Photo of 27 year old Corrie Ottenbreit handed out by RCMP. Her body was discovered near Leduc, Alberta in April.)
Brandi Morin
APTN National News
EDMONTON — RCMP announced Tuesday that a woman’s remains found earlier this year outside Leduc, Alta., have been identified as 27 year old Corrie Ottenbreit.
Her body was found in April near where the remains of Delores Browers were found at the same time.
The RCMP considers Ottenbreit’s death to be a homicide and investigators are seeking the public’s assistance in determining what happened to her.
The RCMP Historical Homicide Unit has assumed control of the investigation, in conjunction with Project KARE.
“This is a very difficult time for the Ottenbreit family and our thoughts are with them today,” said Inspector Stacey Talbot of the Alberta RCMP Serious Crimes Branch. “Sadly, they now know where Corrie is and now we need the public’s help in finding out what happened to her. We hope that someone out there can help us.”
There have been four Indigenous women (Ottenbreit was Caucasian), whose remains have been found in the same area since 2002.
All of the women, except for one, Amber Tuccaro, worked in the sex trade in Edmonton.
RCMP said Ottenbreit’s remains were found alongside Browers east of Leduc in a wooded area along Range Road 241 near Rolley View road.Browers was 33 when she was last seen hitchhiking a ride in May of 2000.
Previously Edna Bernard, 28, was found in 2002 in a wooded area on Range Road 245 just north of Rolley View road.
Katie Ballentyne, 40, was found in 2003 in a farmer’s field near Range Road 235, north of Township Road 500.
Amber Tuccaro, 20, was found in 2012 in a wooden area east of Leduc near Range Road 241 and Highway 623.
All of the cases remain unsolved.
See related story here: Police probe possibility lone killer is dumping bodies outside small Alberta town
Now, RCMP is investigating the possibility of a lone killer using the area as a dumping ground for his or her victims.
April Wiberg of the Stolen Sisters and Brothers Awareness Movement has long held the view that a single perpetrator is on a murdering spree.
“We would like to express there has been suspicion for quite some time now that a serial killer could be responsible for the multiple discoveries of women’s remains in Leduc County. This is no coincidence,” said Wiberg. “We believe this predator preys on our communities most vulnerable people, and his hunting grounds are areas such as Edmonton, Leduc and Nisku.”
She went on to question how many other victims may still be out there and is urging authorities to take serious the situation.
“The EPS and Leduc RCMP Detachment should release an immediate public safety announcement for these communities. For anyone who has any information that could help identify a person of interest or lead to the arrest of a suspect, please, for the victims and their heart broken families, have the courage to come forward,” said Wiberg.
The Stolen Sisters and Brothers Awareness Movement will be organizing a justice rally and walk in Leduc in August.
Police are asking anyone who may have may have information related to the disappearance or death of Corrie Ottenbreit, and others, or who may have seen her after May 9, 2004, to please call 1-877-412-KARE (5273) or theEdmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567.
Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers toll free, at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
all persons living in the area with a history of domestic violence andéor a history of violence against woman should be interviewed