Investigation ongoing after body located in Fonda Park

Our Homicide Unit continues to investigate after a woman’s body was located earlier this week in southeast Calgary.

At approximately 5:30 a.m., on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, we were called for reports that a woman’s body had been located by a couple walking in Fonda Park, located in the community Forest Heights. Police attended the scene and began investigating.

An autopsy was completed yesterday, Wednesday, July 5, 2023, by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the victim has been identified as Katherine SEKELLA, 35, of Calgary. SEKELLA’s death is not considered suspicious at this time.

It is believed that SEKELLA’s death occurred at another location and that her body was transported to the park after her death. We are continuing to investigate the timeline surrounding her death and ask anyone with information about SEKELLA’s whereabouts in the past week to come forward.

“We are investigating three recent cases where a victim’s death was likely the result of an overdose and rather than calling 9-1-1 for help, witnesses transport and dispose of the body,” says Staff Sgt. Brad Moore of the CPS Homicide Unit. “These actions cause additional suffering to a family mourning the loss of a loved one, and as investigators, we are committed to finding them answers. We are pleading with anyone who has information to come forward so that we can provide these families closure.”

In Canada, the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection for individuals who seek emergency help during an overdose to reduce fear of police attending the scene. This Act can protect individuals from being charged with possession of a controlled substance, as well as breach of conditions in some scenarios. However, the moving and disposal of a body could result in criminal charges being laid such as indignity to a body.

Anyone with information about this incident, or SEKELLA’s whereabouts over the past week, 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 #CA23283062/4110