A six-year-old girl and her father were found dead in a Lancaster neighbourhood home on Mother’s Day.
Red Deer RCMP went to the home at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at the request of someone who knew the deceased, Supt. Ken Foster officer in charge of Red Deer RCMP said at a Monday press conference.
Police found a 39-year-old man and a six-year-old girl dead inside the Lister Crescent home. The names of the deceased are not being released.
“We are not looking for any other, additional, persons for this investigation,” said Foster. “At this time we’re not looking for any information from the public, and we have no concerns about public safety.”
A land title search shows the house was owned by Robert Lesslie Malcom Campbell. He purchased the house in 2006.
Brant Dunn, who lives in the neighbourhood, said he took a power engineering course at Red Deer College with Campbell, and only found out during the program that they lived on the same street.
“He was a normal guy who liked drinking beer and watching hockey,” Dunn said, adding he didn’t see Campbell a lot in the neighbourhood.
Beata Wojtasicwicz, who lives across the street and few houses down, said she only saw Campbell when she walked past with her dog. She described him and the house as quiet.
A woman who lived up the street, who only wanted to be identified as A., said she would always hear his loud truck on the street.
Police said the initial investigation suggests there is no threat to the public. The girl’s school has been notified and is in the process of arranging counsellors for any affected teachers and students. Police will work in consultation with the medical examiner’s office to determine cause and manner of death for both the deceased.
The Serious Crimes Branch South was called into assist Red Deer City and Red Deer General Investigative Section.
Police are not releasing the names of the deceased at this time.
“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.”
The investigation is ongoing and autopsies for both deceased is set to take place on Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the Calgary Medical Examiner’s Office. The scene will be held until the autopsy is complete.
Foster said police had yet to determine if the incident was a murder suicide, but he said they aren’t looking for additional suspects.