National News posted Oct 17, 2024 @ 03:25pm by Josh Duncan

RCMP says canoe ‘did not capsize,’ 5-year-old girl’s death believed to be criminal

There was shock and sadness as news of a five-year-old girl’s drowning death was made public on Wednesday.

Mounties initially said the child died after a canoe overturned on Wabamun Lake, west of Edmonton, shortly before 3 pm on Sunday.

However, the seemingly tragic accident is now being looked at by investigators in a brand new light.

Police say they have now learned that the canoe “did not capsize” and they are treating the fatal incident as “a criminal investigation.”

An RCMP release on Wednesday said the girl was pulled from the water by bystanders, but pronounced dead at the scene after life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.

It added that a 35-year-old woman was also pulled from the water by water craft on the lake.

While no further details were revealed regarding the significant change in theory, the RCMP is urging additional witnesses to come forward.

Investigators are specifically urging people who were in the area between 1-4 pm Sunday, or those with drone footage of the area from that time, to reach out to the Parkland RCMP.

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