UPDATE #2: Ongoing investigation into body located in Ramsay

With the permission of the victim’s family, we are identifying a woman whose body was found earlier this year in Ramsay and releasing more details in hopes of encouraging anyone with information to come forward.

The body of 35-year-old Tara NIPTANATIAK was discovered in a residential waste container on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. An autopsy determined her death is not suspicious, however, the circumstances surrounding how she ended up in the container remain under investigation.

Hundreds of hours of CCTV have been reviewed by investigators and they believe Tara did not enter the alley under her own abilities and may have been placed there using a vehicle or other means not captured on CCTV. Investigators are looking to determine who she was with and where she was prior to the discovery of her body. At the time of her death, she had short, dark hair, was wearing dark clothing with a North Face winter jacket, and had a red sleeping bag in her possession. Prior to her death, Tara was known to frequent area shelters.  Anyone with information about her movements in the days or hours leading up to the discovery of her body is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

With the permission of Tara’s family, we are sharing photos of her.

“Tara was the kind of person that helped those in need before helping herself, she was one of a kind. She loved life, and those who knew her knew that to be true. Throughout all of this, the not knowing, the unanswered questions, the complete heartache of knowing she's been buried before we found out all I could think of is my big sister, the woman who protected me from everything she could, the woman who held my hand through some of the scariest moments of my life, the woman who loved me and everyone more than she could ever love herself. She was the most beautiful person, not just the way she looked but her heart. She was so kind and full of life,” says Rolonda Niptanatiak, Tara’s sister. 

“Tara was beloved by her family and friends and they deserve answers. Her death is not believed to be suspicious, but we know there are people out there who know what happened to Tara and we want to speak with them,” says Homicide Unit Staff Sergeant Martin Schiavetta.

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 #22076563/3417