Calgary

Woman's death after Nose Creek Pathway incident deemed homicide

Jelisa Maschki was found in medical distress by a passerby on Dec. 9 on the Nose Creek Pathway near the 1100 block of 32nd Avenue N.E.

Jelisa Maschki was found Dec. 9 in medical distress on northeast pedestrian path

A paved pathway through a grassy area with snow covering some parts of the ground.
Police are looking for more information about what they call a 'fatal altercation' on the Nose Creek Pathway that led to a woman's death last week. (Omar Sherif/CBC)

Based on new evidence, the death of a 23-year-old woman found injured on a northeast pathway last week is now being investigated as a homicide, Calgary police say.

Jelisa Maschki was discovered in medical distress by a passerby at about 4 a.m. on Dec. 9 on the Nose Creek Pathway, near the 1100 block of 32nd Avenue N.E.

She was badly hurt and died of her injuries in hospital days later, police said.

Investigators said the manner of her death was still undetermined after an autopsy last Thursday.

In the days following the autopsy, investigators continued to collect evidence. They now believe her death was the result of a "fatal altercation" that happened several hours before she was found, probably between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.

"Tips from the public have been instrumental in helping us progress this investigation and find answers for Jelisa's family," said Staff Sgt. Sean Gregson, adding police are still looking for more information.

Police are asking to hear from anyone who has surveillance or dashcam footage from the area around Deerfoot Trail and 32nd Avenue N.E., as well as 32nd Avenue to 36th Avenue N.E., on Sunday, Dec. 8, between 9 and 11 p.m.

Investigators are also asking anyone who used the Nose Creek Pathway and who may have seen anyone suspicious during the same time frame to contact police.

"If you've reviewed your CCTV or dashcam footage and don't see anything overtly suspicious, we're still interested in having a look at it. Even things that seem insignificant can have tremendous value to an investigation," Gregson said.