Det. Michael Campeau told reporters yesterday that police allowed
Michael White to make public pleas for Liana White’s return to ‘see
what he would do.’ (Walter Tychnowicz, SUN)
Wed, July 20, 2005
'Tragic day' for toddler'Lost both her mom and dad'
By AJAY BHARDWAJ, EDMONTON SUN
|
|
Det. Michael Campeau told reporters yesterday that police allowed
Michael White to make public pleas for Liana White’s return to ‘see
what he would do.’ (Walter Tychnowicz, SUN)
|
Two families have been "devastated" by a crime that saw Liana White and her unborn child killed in a violent struggle and left to decompose in a ditch.
Police say that most devastated of all is Liana's three-year-old daughter, Ashley, whose father is accused of the crime.
"She's lost both her mom and dad," said the Edmonton Police Service's Det. Michael Campeau.
Michael White, 28, has been charged with second-degree murder and indignity to a dead body. It's the city's 22nd homicide of the year.
"It's a tragic day," said Campeau. "It's not a victory for the
police service. It's a tragic day for two families. We're not here to celebrate
anything. Unfortunately, it's a tragedy for both sets of families. Liana's mum
is not doing well at all."
Ashley was likely in the custody of Liana's mother, Campeau said.
Liana, a 29-year-old unit clerk at the Royal Alexandra Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit, mysteriously vanished July 12. Her Ford Explorer was found in a gravel parking lot next to a sports field at 157 Avenue and 116 Street. Her purse, shoes, credit cards and identification were also at the scene.
Police and civilians led a massive search for her over the next five days.
Liana's body was discovered Sunday by a private search team led by her husband in a remote field near St. Albert.
But while a medical examiner conducted an autopsy on Liana's body yesterday, a cause of death still hasn't been established. She was identified using dental records, Campeau told a media horde.
"There were some marks on Liana that indicates a struggle happened before death," said Campeau.
Her decomposing body indicated Liana had been dead for several days, he added.
Cops are still trying to find a motive and say they have many more leads to follow.
Search warrants are being prepared to review the couple's financial status, Campeau said.
Investigators said they allowed White to make public pleas for Liana's safe return as a strategy to "see what he would do.
"Throughout the week last week, we became aware of certain evidence that changed our focus to Michael White."
Police twice searched White's Warwick Crescent home. "We did a preliminary, cursory search of the house and found nothing," he said. On Saturday they did a forensic search of the house.
The forensics team uncovered 150 exhibits over the week, Campeau said.
"We found evidence at the SUV, we discovered evidence at the house, we discovered evidence where the body was discovered," Campeau said.
The murder took place on July 11 or July 12 and Liana White was last seen the night of July 11 close to midnight, he said.
Staff at the Royal Alexandra Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit are receiving counselling from a pastoral care group and a critical incident debriefing team.
"The mood is subdued, to say the least," said Dr. John Van Aerde, regional medical director for Capital Health's newborn services.
"People are very upset, people are very quiet during their coffee
breaks. Some people are crying."
613-797-3237