Edmonton police trying to piece together 6 months leading up to November homicide

Edmonton police are asking for public assistance in their investigation into the death of 31-year-old Kelsey Ouellette, which happened earlier this month.

“The investigation has begun to establish a picture of Kelsey’s life, in particular the six-month period leading up to her murder, which was marked by a life-changing event,” said Detective Jared Buhler with the EPS Homicide Section.

“Information obtained leads our investigators to believe that the circumstances around that event may relate to her murder. While we have spoken to many individuals known to Kelsey, we have a particular interest in speaking to the people most familiar with this event, who have not been located. We urge these individuals to contact police immediately.”

Edmonton Police are about to give an update on the shooting death of 31-year-old Kelsey Ouellette, killed around 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5th near Jasper Ave. and 116 Street. https://t.co/hdIYk7bQG6 pic.twitter.com/4mKCkFHcUG

— Carly Robinson (@CarlyDRobinson) November 16, 2022

Police say around 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, officers responded to reports of gunshots near Jasper Avenue and 116 Street.

Map location of where Kelsey Ouellette was shot and killed on Nov. 5, 2022. (Photo Courtesy: Edmonton Police Service)

When police got there they found Ouellette, who was suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers reportedly started first-aid until paramedics arrived.

Ouellette was declared dead at the scene by paramedics some time after they got there.

Photo from an apartment near where Kelsey Ouellette was shot and killed. (Photo Credit: Zach Laing)

Through an autopsy, it was confirmed that Ouellette died from multiple gunshot wounds, and Edmonton police began investigating her death as a homicide.

“Our hearts are broken at Kelsey’s death. There are no words to convey the experience of losing a loved one in the manner that Kelsey was taken from us,” said Ouellette’s family in a statement.

Here's the statement from Kelsey's family read out by Edmonton Police. #yeg #yegcrime pic.twitter.com/6kAnQfnFCX

— Carly Robinson (@CarlyDRobinson) November 16, 2022

“Our daughter was a beautiful, smart and vibrant woman who loved life, family, friends and children. We desperately need answers as to why she was taken from us. Kelsey will be forever missed and never forgotten.”

Edmonton police have also released a video of a suspect vehicle that was in the area around the time of Ouellette’s death.

Police say the same evening just before 9 p.m., a 2016 white Toyota Highlander was found burning in the area of 259 Avenue and 18 Street. Investigators believe the burning vehicle might be connected to the homicide.

“We believe this Toyota Highlander was driven and would have been parked in the Edmonton area throughout the months of October and November,” said Buhler. “If anyone recognizes this vehicle or remembers noticing a similar vehicle parked in an unusual or temporary place, we are asking them to please reach out to us.”

“Likewise, if anyone recalls seeing an unusual vehicle in and around the burn site, that information could also be useful.”

Map of where EPS found a Toyota Highlander burned on Nov. 5, 2022. (Photo Courtesy: Edmonton Police Service)

Toyota Highlander burned on Nov. 5, 2022. (Photo Courtesy: Edmonton Police Service)

EPS did confirm that Highlander was stolen from northwest Calgary in August, and was given a different licence plate, which was also confirmed to have been stolen from someone in West Edmonton in October.

Additionally, the car that was stolen from Calgary, received a photo radar ticket on Oct. 21 on Yellowhead Trail near 107 Street.

Anyone with any information on the shooting, the burning vehicle, or who had any contact with Ouellette since June 2022, is asked to contact investigators at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

-With files from Carly Robinson, CityNews