There is a “limited” history of domestic violence between a slain Calgary woman and her estranged husband, who is co-operating with police in the search for their missing five-year-old daughter, an inspector says.
An Amber Alert was issued overnight for Taliyah Leigh Marsman, who is described as mixed-race with a slim build, brown curly hair and brown eyes.
“We’re not ruling out anything at this point,” said Insp. Don Coleman of the Calgary Police Service’s major crimes section.
That includes the possibility that Taliyah was dropped off with someone who has yet to realize the girl is the subject of an Amber Alert, he said.
The girl is believed to have been abducted from a house at 1111 Panamount Blvd. in the northwest Calgary neighbourhood of Panorama Hills.
Sara Baillie was found dead by police in the home where she lived with her daughter on Monday evening.
Woman’s death believed to be homicide
Police were called to the address by family members who had been unable to reach the woman.
“We believe this to be a homicide,” Coleman said.
He did not reveal how she died.
Coleman said there was no sign of forced entry, to his knowledge, and that Baillie’s estranged husband is “co-operating” with police.
He said the couple had a “limited” history of domestic violence, “both reported and unreported,” but did not elaborate.
Asked if he was convinced Taliyah was taken by a stranger, Coleman said: “No, I am not.”
He said the last time family members other than her mother had contact with Taliyah was about 10:30 a.m. MT on Sunday.
No reason to think Taliyah taken from Calgary
Although the Amber Alert is provincewide, he said there is no suggestion the child has been taken outside Calgary.
Baillie’s vehicle, a white 2016 Ford Fusion, which police initially said may have been connected to Taliyah’s disappearance, was found and is being examined by forensic officers.
Neighbour Mike Koloff told CBC News that Baillie had recently moved into the basement suite at the house with her daughter.
“I’m shocked. We had cursory information yesterday that she was missing. At first I thought, well it’s Stampede week, and you know, everything that goes on in Stampede week,” he said.
“But then, waking up this morning and looking at some online news stating that she’d been found dead in the home and the daughter is missing is a complete shock. My wife is completely distraught. She’s at work now, but she was in tears, hearing about this.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the police or Crime Stoppers.
Police say the five-year-old girl was taken from this house in Panorama Hills in northwest Calgary, where her mother was found dead. (Mathieu Simard/Radio Canada)
Taliyah Leigh Marsman, 5, was taken from a house in Panorama Hills in northwest Calgary. (Google )