UPDATE: Mourning begins after two-year-old abductee's body found in Alberta
By Castlegar Source
RCMP have found what they believe to be the body of two year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette in a rural area near Blairmore, Alta. The body was located this afternoon during a police search based on information received in their efforts to locate her. Hailey’s family has been notified.
“The RCMP extends its deepest condolences to Hailey’s family. This is a sad day for the citizens of Blairmore and all Canadians who have held this little girl in their thoughts and prayers since Monday,” said RCMP Superintendent Tony Hamori, Assistant District Officer in Southern Alberta. “We can’t say much about the investigation at this point, other than to thank the public and the media for helping us find Hailey.”
The male suspect who was arrested in Blairmore earlier today remains in police custody for questioning in relation to the investigation into the homicide of Hailey’s father, Terry Blanchette, and her disappearance. Charges are pending. Police will provide the identity of the suspect after charges are laid in these matters.
Police are no longer asking for the public’s assistance in locating the white van that was seen near the Blanchette home in the early hours of Monday morning. The Amber Alert issued in relation to Hailey’s disappearance is no longer in effect.
Anyone with information that might assist police in these investigations is asked to call Crowsnest Pass RCMP at 403-562-2866. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers with information at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
NOTE: The RCMP will hold a Media Availability on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. in Blairmore, Alberta to provide an update on the ongoing investigations. Details to follow in future release.
Previous coverage:
The RCMP has arrested a suspect in the homicide of Terry Blanchette, age 27, who was found dead in his Blairmore home yesterday morning. The male suspect, age 22, was arrested in Blairmore earlier today. He is a resident of that community. His name is not being released due to investigational considerations.
He is now in police custody for questioning in relation to the Blanchette homicide and the disappearance of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, age two, who was abducted from her father’s home at 3:30 a.m. yesterday morning. The investigation into the child’s whereabouts is ongoing. Police have located a white van in the Blairmore area and are in the process of determining if it is related to the incident under investigation. It is too soon for police to know if this is the van that was reportedly seen near the Blanchett home early Monday morning.
The Amber Alert issued in relation to Hailey’s disappearance is still in effect. Anyone with information that might assist police is asked to call Crowsnest Pass RCMP at 403-562-2866. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers with information at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Amber Alerts expire 24-hours after they are issued. The RCMP will be renewing this Amber Alert at 2:14 p.m. today and is asking the jurisdictions of British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Montana to do the same.
The RCMP were in contact with Hailey’s mother Cheyenne Dunbar about the investigation prior to the Amber Alert being issued.
Previous coverage:
RCMP have expanded their search for an abducted two-year-old to include B.C., Saskatchewan and Montana – and at the same time are investigating the murder of her father.
“Today, the RCMP in Crowsnest Pass were called to a residence just after 11:15 a.m. in the town of Blairmore, by a family member who had just discovered a deceased male in the home,” said a press release issued today. “The deceased has been identified as 27-year-old Terry Blanchette of Blairmore. He is the biological father of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette. The RCMP remains on the scene and have called in the Southern Serious Crimes Branch investigators. RCMP Investigators have confirmed the death is suspicious and are now investigating this as a homicide.
“This homicide investigation is related to the disappearance of two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, subject of an Amber Alert earlier today.”
Original story:
Crowsnest Pass RCMP has issued an AMBER Alert, for the abduction of a female child today, Sept. 14 at 3:30 a.m. from the town of Blairmore, Alta. The child abducted, Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, age 2, is a caucasian female child, small build, light brown, straight hair with bangs, and brown eyes. Hailey was abducted by an unknown person.
The suspect vehicle fled the residence west, at a high rate of speed. The vehicle is described as a newer model white van, with a large rear antenna, with a flag attached.
Police say not to approach the suspect. Please contact the Crowsnest Pass RCMP 403-562-2866 if you have any information.
