By The Canadian Press // Calgary Police Service // Dori Modney - @Dori_Modney on Twitter // Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Public Vigil Organized to Honour Lives of Mother and Daughter

Jul 16, 2016 | 11:48 AM

CALGARY – A public vigil is set for tonight in Calgary for a five-year-old girl and her mother.

People are asked to gather at Sandstone Park in the city’s northwest by 7:30-pm, to honour the lives of five year old Taliyah Leigh Marsman and her mother 34 year old Sara Baillie.

Those who want to attend are encouraged to bring their own candles, glow sticks, or flashlights.

Around 9:00-pm Thursday evening, the Calgary Police Service ended the Amber Alert for Taliyah.

CPS stated that a body was located on a rural property, just eight kilometers east of McKnight Blvd. Sara was found dead inside the apartment she shared with her daughter on July 11.

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Police took Edward Delten Downey, 46, into custody in a strip mall, located in the 3300 block of 32 Avenue N.E.

Charges are now pending against him for two counts of first-degree murder. It is believed Downey is acquaintances with both Sara and Taliyah. An exact motive for both murders is still under investigation.

At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Calgary Police stated that Downey has an extensive criminal history and was not co-operating with investigators.

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.

Downey has been remanded in custody for a court appearance on July 20th. 

At this time, he is the only suspect, but the investigation continues.  Police have not released the cause of death for either victims.