By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter) with files from Calgary Police Service

AMBER Alert Ends for Missing Calgary Girl – Suspect Faces 2 Counts First Degree Murder

Jul 14, 2016 | 9:40 PM

CALGARY:   Around 9:00-pm Thursday evening, the Calgary Police Service rescinded the Amber Alert for a missing girl. The following was posted on the Police Service Website:

“We are deeply saddened to report that a body, believed to be Taliyah Leigh Marsman has been located. First-degree murder charges in relation to the deaths of Taliyah and her mother Sara Baillie are pending.

Late this (Thursday) afternoon, searchers located a body on a rural property east of Chestermere. The exact location of where the body was found will not be released to protect the integrity of the scene.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, police took a 46-year-old man into custody in a strip mall, located in the 3300 block of 32 Avenue N.E. Investigators believed the man may have been involved in Taliyah’s disappearance. Subsequent information was obtained resulting in a police search of a rural area east of Chestermere for evidence in relation to the case early Thursday.

Charges are pending against this man for two counts of first-degree murder. His name will be released once charges are formally sworn by a Justice of the Peace. This is expected to occur late tonight.

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

It is believed the man is acquaintances with both victims Sara Baillie and Taliyah Marsman. An exact motive for both murders is still under investigation.

An autopsy has not yet been scheduled. Cause of death has not been determined at this time.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., on Monday, July 11, 2016, police were called to a home in the 1000 block of Panamount Boulevard N.W., after family members of a female resident were unable to reach her. A woman was found deceased in the home.

The victim was identified as Sara Baillie, 34, of Calgary. Baillie’s death was ruled a homicide. Cause of death will not be released.

An AMBER Alert was issued at approximately 1:40 a.m., on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 for Baillie’s daughter Taliyah Leigh Marsman.

We would once again like to thank members of the public and the media for their support and assistance in the search for Taliyah.”

At a news conference on Thursday afternoon, Police stated that the suspect in the disappearance of the five-year-old child, whose mother was found dead in her basement apartment, has an extensive criminal history and was not co-operating with investigators.

Inspector Don Coleman noted the man was believed to be the same one witnesses saw on Monday with a girl matching Taliyah Marsman’s description.  Investigators believed the man and the girl left a black car belonging to victim Sara Baillie, got into a grey sedan and drove off.

Coleman says the sedan was seized in a strip mall parking lot on Wednesday night and the driver was arrested. He stated the search east of Calgary was undertaken because was believed the man in custody had been in that area for a brief time.

Coleman said Baillie knew the suspect, as did Taliyah’s father, Colin Marsman.

At a news conference on Thursday night, Inspector Coleman confirmed the body, believed to be that of Taliyah, was found in a field about eight kilometers east of McKnight Blvd at about 7:15-pm Thursday.

Investigators, who had about 100 officers working round the clock searching for Taliyah, now believe the little girl was killed Monday afternoon, before family contacted police about her disappearance. The man they have in custody has been charged with two counts of first degree murder. 

Edward Delten Downey, aged 46, also went by the last name of Simmons. He has been remanded in custody for a court appearance on July 20th. 

At this time, Downey is the only suspect but, the investigation continues.  Police have not released the cause of death for either victims and do not yet have a motive for the killings.