2 additional arrests have been made in connection to murder of 8-year-old girl

Edmonton police have charged two more men in connection to the murder of an eight-year-old girl.

The Edmonton Police Service says on April 24, officers responded to a welfare check of a girl at a home near 87 Avenue and 165 Street.

When officers arrived, they were unable to find the girl and began an investigation.

In the following days, the EPS arrested a 27-year-old woman, a 25-year-old man, and 67-year-old Edward Nievera in connection with the girl’s murder.

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On April 29, her remains were found in Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis.

An autopsy later confirmed her cause of death was blunt force trauma, and ruled the death as a homicide.

Since April, police have charged a 21-year-old, Shayden Lightning, and a 36-year-old, Raighne Stoney, with accessory to murder and indignity to a dead body.

“We want to thank the RCMP in Maskwacis and Wetaskiwin for their assistance with this investigation,” says Staff Sergeant Colin Leathem, with the EPS Homicide Section. “Needless to say, this was an exceptionally distressing investigation to work on, and they went above and beyond in helping to facilitate these final arrests and bring this file to a conclusion. While nothing can change the horror of what occurred, we hope that apprehending those responsible can provide some measure of justice to those who knew and loved this little girl.”

The EPS says “The names of the other two accused will be withheld to protect the identity of other children related to the deceased.”