RCMP Finds Missing Family of 3 Dead After Search West of Edmonton

The bodies of the three family members who were reported missing have been recovered during a search near the Alexis Bridge in Lac Ste. Anne County, West of Edmonton, on Tuesday.

The Pelsma family reportedly went missing on Saturday, Dec. 23 while riding their side-by-side ATV in Lac Ste. Anne County. The family of three, 39-year-old Kelly, his 37-year-old wife Laura, and eight-year-old son Dylan, were reported missing on Dec. 25.

RCMP said the family was overdue to attend a function. Police said investigators believed the Pelsma family had gone off-roading in a utility terrain vehicle, or “side-by-side”.

Members of Parkland RCMP, Lac Ste. Anne County Fire Service and an underwater recovery team assisted in the effort to recover the family. Their bodies were reportedly found in the water as well as on the shore.

“After the hours and work that the Parkland RCMP and the volunteers put in last night, there was an observation made by someone late in the evening and that’s what drew the attention to that bridge area”, RCMP Public Information Officer Cpl. Patrick Lambert in a news release.

“This is a sad outcome, the loss of any life is tragic”, said Cpl. Lambert. “The loss of the entire family is truly devastating over the holidays. Our thoughts are with the community and their extended family.”

The three deceased have reportedly been taken to the Edmonton Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy will be conducted later this week.

Alberta RCMP remind all Albertans “of the dangers of unpredictable thin ice and open water. Ice should be at least 15cm thick for a person to walk or skate on, 20cm for a group of people and 25cm for snowmobiling or using off-highways vehicles on.”

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