A missing mother and her toddler daughter have mysteriously been found dead near a small town west of Calgary, Alberta, on May 6.
Calgary Police confirmed at 4 a.m. local time they found the bodies of a woman and child who are believed to be Cranston mother Jasmine Lovett, 25, and Aliyah Sanderson, 22 months old, near Kananaskis, 86 kilometers (54 miles) west of Calgary.
Officers traced the missing pair to a densely forested area near Grizzly Creek off Highway 40 where the grim discovery was made.
“Autopsies are expected to begin today. Formal identification of the deceased will be done by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner,” police said in a public statement. “The cause of death of both victims is not expected to be released … [and] to protect the integrity of this investigation and future court proceedings, police are unable to release details about what lead to the discovery of the bodies.”
Police previously described Lovett as being in her mid-20s, 5 foot 4 inches (162.6 cm) tall with a slim build, brown hair, and brown eyes. Aliyah was about 3 feet (91.5 cm) tall with a slim build, brown eyes, and brown hair.
Please help us locate Jasmine LOVETT & her 1-year-old daughter Aliyah. No one has heard from them since April 16, they were reported missing yesterday & we have been unable to locate them.#YYC Newsroom: https://t.co/773gSrLEHT
Calgary Police Facebook: https://t.co/mJrQPhpOqU pic.twitter.com/GcyMsuM10W— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) April 24, 2019
One unnamed suspect has already been arrested and charges are pending.
“The suspect cannot be named by police until charges are officially laid by the Justice of the Peace. This is expected to occur later today, or tomorrow,” police said. “However, police can confirm the suspect is the same man who was taken into custody two weeks ago.”
We have located the bodies of a woman & child, believed to be that of Jasmine LOVETT & Aliyah SANDERSON, in Kananaskis, near Grizzly Creek located off Highway 40. A suspect has been taken into custody earlier today, charges are pending. https://t.co/6eB986VfOX
— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) May 6, 2019
Police described the suspect as a Caucasian man aged in his mid 30s.
“[He was] driving a grey, luxury sports utility vehicle in the Bragg Creek and/or East Kananaskis area between Tuesday, April 16, and Thursday, April 18, 2019,” police said in a Facebook post dated April 26.
“The man may have been alone or with either of the victims, and may have been carrying mulch in his vehicle. Investigators specifically believe the man was in the Fullerton Loop/Elbow Falls area between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Thursday last week (April 18).”
Homicide Investigation Update:#Calgary Police are seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed a Caucasian man, mid-30s driving a grey luxury SUV in the #BraggCreek / East #Kananaskis area between Tues, April 16, & Thurs, April 18, 2019 – https://t.co/NPaqvb4tUs
— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) April 26, 2019
The investigation was previously treated as a potential double homicide back when police were unable to find any evidence the pair were alive.
“The last place anyone saw either of them was in Cranston on the evening of Tuesday, April 16, 2019, and the last activity on Jasmine’s financial accounts was two days later. There have been no signs of life since,” police said in an earlier statement.
Our investigation into a missing woman & her child is now considered a potential double homicide. We have been unable to find any evidence confirming that 25-year-old Jasmine LOVETT or 22-month-old Aliyah SANDERSON are alive. We have a suspect in custody https://t.co/n1WGTbQ2r1
— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) April 25, 2019
Investigators did not believe the incident was random.
“The suspect and victims knew each other,” police said.
Family members of the victims were devastated to learn the lives of Lovett and Sanderson had reached a tragic end.
“Our lives have been devastated and our hearts are heavy. We are trying to understand how this tragedy could have happened to our loved ones,” the family said in a public statement.
The Lovett family thanked everyone who helped search for the pair.
“Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire Calgary Police Service as well as those who have worked diligently in the search for Jasmine and her baby girl Aliyah. We would also like to thank the public for their continued support which has meant a great deal to us,” the family said.
Lovett Family Statement:
The following statement is being released on behalf of the Lovett Family.#yyc #Calgary pic.twitter.com/a3b1adTrqc
— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) May 6, 2019
Police also thanked many partner agencies, members of the public, and the media for helping to find the missing mother and child.
“We are grateful for the support of Calgarians,” police said.
We would like to thank the many partner agencies, members of the public and the media for their assistance in the investigation and the search for Jasmine LOVETT and Aliyah SANDERSON. We are grateful for the support of our community.
— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) May 6, 2019
Anyone with information is invited to contact police by phoning 403-266-1234. Tips can be made anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers by phoning 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
