Calgary man charged with dismembering woman's body concealed in Crescent Heights
CBC News | Posted: June 13, 2016 5:46 PM | Last Updated: June 13, 2016
Police still working to determine cause of death and whether woman died of a criminal act
Calgary police have charged a man with dismembering and trying to dispose of a woman's body that was found in a wooded area in Crescent Heights.
Joshua Jordan Weise, 40, of Calgary, is charged with offering an indignity to human remains. Weise appeared in court in person on Monday, wearing leg shackles and blue coveralls.
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"We don't believe there is a risk to public safety in this matter. We don't believe the actions taken were criminal in nature, however the actions taken post-death definitely substantiate criminal activities so those were the charges that were laid," said Insp. Don Coleman of the Calgary police major crimes unit at a news conference on Tuesday.
Police say the victim and the accused "were acquaintances of some sort."
"It's clear there was a series of bad decisions made ... there was confusion and fear," said Coleman.
Police recovered the body on June 8 after being called to a lightly-forested area on the west side of the intersection of Centre Street North and Samis Road, where a passerby had discovered the grisly scene. The dead woman was reported missing by a family member on June 9.
Police were unable to immediately identify the woman, even after an autopsy the following day, but now know who she was.
The identity of the victim will not be released, however, because investigators have not determined whether she died as a result of a criminal act.
Investigators are continuing to work with the medical examiner to determine the cause of death.
The woman's next of kin has been notified.
Remains disposed of in 'multiple locations'
After following up a tip, police now believe the woman died at a home in the 3900 block of First Street N.W., which was owned by the accused. The victim did not live at the residence.
They allege that a man who lived at the home decided to dispose of the remains "in multiple locations," including the park in Crescent Heights. The investigation is ongoing and searches are continuing at local landfills. Police say the accused is co-operating with police.
Weise will return to court on June 15, at which time it could be determined whether he is fit to stand trial.
Anyone with information who has not already spoken with investigators is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or the homicide unit tip line at 403-428-8877.
Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers.