The family of the mother and daughter who had been missing for the past three weeks has issued a statement shortly after CPS discovered their bodies on Monday afternoon.
Twenty-five-year-old Jasmine Lovett and 22-month-old Aliyah Sanderson were found deceased near Grizzly Creek off Highway 40, according to an update Monday by the Calgary Police Service.
“Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire Calgary Police Service as well as those who have worked diligently in the search for Jasmine and her baby girl Aliyah,” the family’s statement reads.
“We would also like to thank the public for their continued support which has meant a great deal to us. Our lives have been devastated and our hearts are heavy. We are trying to understand how this tragedy could have happened to our loved ones.”
A suspect is in custody and charges are pending, according to the Calgary Police Service. The name of the suspect has not been made public.
Police provided an update on the case on April 29 saying the force believed that the suspect may have burned evidence regarding what happened to the mother and daughter sometime in the days after they were last seen.
The Lovett family issued a statement that same day, urging the public to come forward with any information in Aliyah or Jasmine’s whereabouts:
“Thank you to everyone who is helping in the search for Jasmine and Aliyah. Our hearts are shattered and we continue to seek answers to the questions many of you are asking.
If anyone has any information about this case, we beg of you to please contact police.
We are not yet ready to speak publicly and request our privacy during this extremely difficult time.”
A man was taken into custody that same week but released without charges. Calgary Police said he remained the primary suspect in the case.
It is unclear if the man taken into custody Monday is the same person arrested in connection with the case in April.
More to come…
We have located the bodies of a woman & child, believed to be that of Jasmine LOVETT & Aliyah SANDERSON, in Kananaskis, near Grizzly Creek located off Highway 40. A suspect has been taken into custody earlier today, charges are pending. https://t.co/6eB986VfOX
— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) May 6, 2019
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We would like to thank the many partner agencies, members of the public and the media for their assistance in the investigation and the search for Jasmine LOVETT and Aliyah SANDERSON. We are grateful for the support of our community.
— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) May 6, 2019