2008-03-12

Something doesn't pass the smell test

Remains identified as missing Hobbema teen:

Mounties have identified the woman whose scattered remains were found in Hobbema on the weekend as Erica Marie Roasting.

The 18-year-old reserve resident was reported missing to the Louis Bull Police Service on March 7, said RCMP spokesman Cpl. Darrel Bruno.

Police are investigating the death as suspicious and it's not yet being treated as a homicide, said Bruno.

"Our investigation is trying to establish when she was last seen and whether this is a murder case," he added.

At about 1:30 a.m. last Sunday, a constable with the Louis Bull police was patrolling the area behind the Louis Bull health centre when he came across the missing woman's remains.


Police said she was found on a three-kilometre stretch of land where snow had recently melted.

Hobbema Mounties, along with officers from Wetaskiwin, Red Deer and Calgary, are assisting in the ongoing investigation.

The EPS canine unit was called in to help on the weekend, along with the RCMP's helicopter because the remains were scattered, said Bruno.

The medical examiner's office identified Roasting yesterday using dental records.

Bruno said Project KARE, a police group that investigates deaths and disappearances of people with high-risk lifestyles, has been notified of the case but is not involved in the investigation.

Girl found dead on a reserve, I can believe. Identified using dental records? Thats a little odd.