Calgary Police Services (CPS) laid two counts of first-degree murder against Edward Delten Downey, 46, July 14 after the body of Taliyah Leigh Marsman, 5, was found in a rural area west of Chestermere.
“We are very saddened today to be announcing that we believe we have found the body of five-year-old Taliyah Leigh Marsman,” said CPS Chief of Police Roger Chaffin during a July 14 media conference.
Downey was initially taken into custody July 13. According to CPS Inspector Don Coleman, Downey provided information to investigators leading them to begin the search of an area west of Chestermere early on July 14.
Marsman’s body was found at approximately 7:15 p.m. about eight kilometres east of Calgary, off McKnight Boulevard, according to Coleman.
An Amber Alert was issued at 1:40 a.m. July 12 for Marsman after the child’s mother, Sara Baillie, 34, was found dead July 11 in a home in Calgary. Coleman said no details about how Marsman or Baillie were killed would be released as the investigation is ongoing.
“The timeline of events through the investigation would suggest that both events occurred prior to police involvement on Monday (July 11),” Coleman said. “We believe this incident (the murders) took place sometime that afternoon.”
According to Coleman, Downey – a resident of Calgary who sometimes uses the last name Simmons – is believed to be an acquaintance of Marsman and Baillie, as well as Marsman’s father, Colin. A motive for the murders remains under investigation.
Police set up a staging area early on the morning of July 14 at the Delacour Community Hall and began searching an area in the vicinity of Range Road 281 and Range Road 282. Chaffin said up to 100 officers were involved in the search.
Chaffin said the searchers, comprised of officers from CPS and RCMP, were “completely devastated” by the discovery of Marsman’s body.
During a media conference on the afternoon of July 14, Coleman said Downey was not co-operating with police. He is known to have an extensive criminal history, though Coleman could not go into details. After the discovery of Marsman’s body, Coleman said Downey continued to offer “limited co-operation.”
Baillie’s body was found July 11 in the basement apartment she shared with Marsman located on Panamount Boulevard in northwest Calgary. Police were called to the location at approximately 8:30 p.m. after Baillie’s relatives reported they were unable to reach her.
Coleman said witnesses told police they saw Downey with a young girl matching Marsman’s description at approximately 11:30 a.m. July 11 getting out of a grey sedan and into another vehicle. The grey sedan had been seen in the vicinity of where Baillie’s car was found in Panorama. Police tracked the second vehicle and subsequently arrested Downey in a northeast Calgary parking lot. There was no sign of Marsman.
Downey will appear in court in Calgary July 20. Until then, he will be held in custody, according to Coleman.
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact CPS at 403-266-1234, the Homicide Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8877 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at tipsubmit.com
