Calgary Police Service's (CPS) investigation into a missing woman and her child is now being treated as a potential double homicide, and CPS is asking Bragg Creek residents to search their properties.
Police have been unable to find any evidence confirming 25-year-old Jasmine Lovett or her 22-month-old daughter Aliyah Sanderson are alive, according to an April 23 CPS release. The last place anyone saw either of them, according to police, was in the southwest Calgary neighbourhood of Cranston on the evening of April 16. CPS reports the last activity on Lovett’s financial accounts occurred April 18.
“There have been no signs of life since,” the release stated.
Investigators had a suspect in custody for questioning, according to CPS, and do not believe this incident to be random, as the suspect and victims knew each other. The suspect was released and no charges have been laid, however, he remains the primary suspect in the case, according to an April 26 update from CPS. Police are currently working with multiple other agencies to search Cranston and the area around Bragg Creek for evidence.
In the update, CPS asked anyone who witnessed a Caucasian man in his mid-30s driving a grey, luxury SUV in the Bragg Creek and/or East Kananaskis area between April 16 and 18 to contact police.
"The man may have been alone or with either of the victims, and may have been carrying mulch in his vehicle," the release states. "Investigators specifically believe the man was in the Fullerton Loop/Elbow Falls area between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., Thursday last week [April 18]."
Property owners in the Bragg Creek area are still being asked to check their property and report anything suspicious to police, according to CPS, especially if any new mulch has been dumped between April 16 and 20. Hikers and bikers in the area are also asked to be on the lookout for anything suspicious.
Over 50 police officers from multiple units continue to search the area around Bragg Creek and Priddis, according to to the release, after information from cell towers showed there may be evidence related to this case in that area. Officers from the Mounted Unit, the Public Safety Unit, Patrol and HAWCS are all assisting in the search, as are members of the RCMP, local search and rescue groups, and Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers.
The investigation is ongoing and investigators are still working to determine what occurred, according to CPS. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact police by calling the non-emergency number at 403-266-1234, or the homicide tip line at 403-428-8877.
Burglary in Ghost Lake Village
An intruder in a secluded community near Cochrane was arrested April 23, thanks to the collaboration of residents of Ghost Lake Village, a summer cottage community located between Cochrane and Morley.According to Cochrane RCMP, a Ghost Lake Village resident whose holiday trailer was broken into April 21 alerted the community’s other residents about the theft. The intruder allegedly stole various personal items, including some of the resident’s “distinctive clothing.”
On April 23, residents reported a suspicious male, who was pulling a cart filled with property and wearing the resident’s missing clothing, according to police. Cochrane RCMP responded that evening and located the male, who was subsequently arrested for break and enter and possession of property obtained by crime.
“The adult male, of no fixed address, was lugging around a wagon full of stolen property, including two firearms,” stated the Cochrane RCMP press release. “The firearms and various items were identified as belonging to nearby residents.”
Cochrane RCMP touted the benefits of initiatives like Rural Crime Watch programs in making the arrest.
“In this case, nearby residents were alerted to the presence of an intruder into the community, which directly led to the arrest of a suspect, recovery of property including firearms and improved safety,” the release stated.
A future release will provide the details of the offender and associated charges, according to Cochrane RCMP.
Horse fraud in Cochrane
RCMP Livestock Sections in Southern Alberta and British Columbia have charged 28-year-old Ashton Taylor Carson for fraud and theft in the Cochrane area.According to Cochrane RCMP, Carson acted as a broker for his victim, and set to arrange for the sale of a horse on the victim’s behalf for an agreed-upon price. The detachment stated Carson, of Cochrane, allegedly claimed he owned the horse and sold it to an unsuspecting buyer in B.C.
Carson has been charged with fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000 and theft under $5,000. He was released with conditions and will appear in Cochrane Provincial Court June 25.
“Livestock Investigators remind the public that a livestock inspection and permit must be completed prior to livestock leaving the province of Alberta,” stated a press release from Cochrane RCMP. “Information on how to obtain permits can be obtained from the Livestock Identification Services website at lis-alberta.com or by calling the local livestock inspector.”
If you have any information about any crime, contact your local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at tipsubmit.com
