An Amber Alert has been issued for Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, age 2, a Caucasian female child of small build, with light brown, straight hair with bangs, and brown eyes. She was abducted by an unknown person.
Residents of the small towns nestled in Alberta's Crowsnest Pass were shaken on Monday by the second homicide in less than a week, followed by the discovery that a local two-year-old girl was missing and now the subject of an Amber Alert throughout Western Canada.
The RCMP announced that Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette was missing while investigating the death of her father, 27-year-old Terry Blanchette, on Monday. Police say he was found dead in a house in Blairmore, Alta., just after 11:15 a.m., the victim of an apparent homicide.
"This type of incident, combined with the scene at the residence we found, is concerning to the highest degree," RCMP Superintendent Tony Hamori said during a press conference in Airdrie, Alta. "Given the fact that Hailey is a two-year-old, that inherently makes her vulnerable."
Hailey was taken from the home, about two hours south of Calgary, and disappeared into a white van at about 3:30 a.m., according to police. The van then sped off toward the nearby B.C. border. In the half-day after her disappearance, police broadened the search area to include Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan and nearby Montana.
"People are in a bit of a panic, with the murder of an elderly lady a few days ago. This is bizarre," said Jessica Atkinson, who operates a small café in Blairmore. "Things like this just don't happen here. Everyone says that, it's cliché, but this is a small, idyllic community in the mountains."
Hannah Meketech, 69, was killed in her home in nearby Coleman, Alta., last Wednesday. Local media have reported that neighbours heard gunshots the evening of her death. Her slaying remains unsolved.
Mr. Blanchette's social media accounts paint the picture of a man who enjoyed spending time with his young daughter. Nearly every public update over the past two years involves Hailey. There's a picture of her in a Montreal Canadiens jersey, learning to ride a bike or ready to face the cold winter in the Rocky Mountains community.
"This is definitely a tragic day for our community," said Crowsnest Pass Mayor Blair Painter. "We're a community of 7,000, and those who have lived here for long know everyone else. It's a tight-knit community and this is devastating."
Police have been in contact with Hailey's mother, who lives in the Edmonton area, and have confirmed that she doesn't know the whereabouts of her daughter. "At this point in time, we are open to all possibilities," Supt. Hamori said of the girl's abductor.
Hailey is described as white, with a small build, light brown, straight hair with bangs, and brown eyes. The van in which she was taken is described as a newer model with a large rear antenna, with a flag attached.
Schools in the area asked parents to pick up their children at bus stops on Monday afternoon. Mr. Painter said the community is considering the next steps, including a vigil.
"I have a two-year-old and this hits close to home. Seeing pictures of this little girl is absolutely heartbreaking, it's horrifying," Ms. Atkinson said. "We go to the park by her house and maybe our kids used the swings together."
With reports from Allan Maki and Carrie Tait in Calgary
Justin Giovannetti