Remains found on Blood Tribe Nation identified as missing Lethbridge woman
An investigation is underway into the discovery of a body on a southern Alberta First Nation after an autopsy confirmed the deceased was a woman reported missing in Lethbridge in the summer.
The Lethbridge Police Service issued a request for information from the public in August in connection with the disappearance of 48-year-old Helen Purkins.
Purkins, who also has undisclosed ties to the Blood Reserve, had been last seen in the Lethbridge neighbourhood of Indian Battle Heights on July 29.
On Nov. 24, members of the Blood Tribe Police Service responded after the remains — since confirmed to be the missing woman — were found at a location on the north end of the Blood Tribe Nation.
According to Blood Tribe Police Service officials, the body was in an "advanced state of decomposition."
The nature of Purkins' death has not been determined and the investigation into both her disappearance and death continues.
"The Blood Tribe Police Service would like to express our sincere condolences to Helen's family," said officials in a statement. "They remain in our thoughts as we navigate through this difficult time."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.