Charge laid following hazardous material incident

We have charged a woman with criminal negligence after hazardous material was discovered in the Manchester Industrial area last week.

At about noon on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, we responded to a report of a suspicious package in the Manchester Industrial area. Upon arrival, officers worked with the Calgary Fire Department and determined the material – believed to include picric acid – was unstable and posed a safety risk. The area was evacuated while a safe disposal plan was developed.

On Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, we conducted controlled detonations of the material at the site where it was found. After further analysis, we determined a safe transport method and safely relocated the remaining material to a designated site, where we completed additional detonations.

Investigators believe a local moving company had been contracted to dispose of several substances that were mislabelled before transport. The materials then sat for about 10 days, during which time they became unstable.

After further investigation, investigators now believe the president of the company who hired the movers was aware of the true contents of the package and did not disclose them to the moving company to ensure their proper disposal.

As a result, we have charged Christine Jacqueline TESCHL, 59, with one count of criminal negligence. She is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.

“We do not believe there was intent to harm members of the public, but the decisions made in relation to this material ultimately put our community and our emergency services personnel at significant risk,” says Staff Sgt. Ray Kelly with the Calgary Police Service General Investigations Unit. “It took expertise and collaboration across multiple agencies to ensure no one was hurt, and we continue to be grateful to our members and our agency partners for ensuring this incident was safely resolved.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips

Case # CA25371631/4199