Police are remaining tight-lipped after a 39-year-old father and his six-year-old daughter were found dead in a Lancaster home on Sunday.
Ken Foster, officer in charge of the Red Deer RCMP, addressed the media during a press conference on Monday afternoon.
On May 14th at 3:30 p.m., Red Deer RCMP attended a residence on Lister Cres. of Red Deer as part of a welfare check.
“(The welfare check was done by) someone who knew the deceased. I’m not aware of who the name of that person was and for privacy reasons I wouldn’t state it anyways, but it was certainly someone who knew the deceased who called us to check the well-being,” said Foster.
RCMP gained entry into the secure residence and once inside they located the body of a 39-year-old male and a six-year-old female; father and daughter.
Serious Crimes Branch South was called in to assist Red Deer City and Red Deer GIS with the investigation.
The names of the deceased are not being released at this time.
Initial investigation suggests that there is no threat to the public and Foster added they are not searching for any additional suspects.
The school of the girl has been notified and is in the process of arranging counsellors for any affected teachers and students. Foster added the girl did not attend school in the City of Red Deer.
Police will be working in consultation with the medical examiner’s office to determine cause and manner of death for both the deceased.
The investigation is ongoing and autopsy for both deceased is set to take place on May 16th at the Calgary Medical Examiner’s Office. The scene will be held until the autopsy is complete.
“For our members as well as all our emergency personnel and municipal employees here at the detachment – deaths are always difficult to deal with and anything dealing with children are especially difficult,” said Foster. “Our team has been working diligently to arrange critical incident briefings with our members, emergency personnel, as well as municipal employees, so they well-being is being cared for.
“On behalf of the RCMP, I want to express our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” said Foster. “This is a tragic loss that affects our whole community.”
Meanwhile, Foster added further updates will be made public once the autopsies are complete.
