“The man taken into custody is believed to have been driving a dark grey sedan in the Panorama community, which investigators believe was involved in Taliyah’s disappearance”.
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Earlier Thursday, police said the suspect was not cooperating with the investigation.
Inspector Don Coleman says the suspect, who is thought to have been a friend of the family, has an extensive criminal history.
The search for Taliyah Marsman has now stretched outside of Calgary to some rural outlying areas, which Coleman noted gives a more “ominous tone” to the hunt for the girl.
Authorities are asking for anyone with information on the disappearance of Taliyah Marsman to contact Crime Stoppers. They also believe he is the same man witnesses saw with a girl who looked like Taliyah. “We believe that this incident had concluded sometime [Monday] afternoon”.
He added: “By the timeline…there was nothing we could do”. According to Huffington Post Canada, Downey is now being held in custody, where he will remain until his court hearing on July 20.
He said it’s believed Baillie was the primary target.
Coleman said his lack of co-operation is “extremely frustrating” for investigators.
“At this point Mr. Downey is our only suspect”, Coleman said.
“The fact is, I know there were a lot of hearts broken when the news came out and there were so many volunteers and police services involved in trying to help the awful situation that we all need to take a moment to send our love and hearts out to Taliyah and Sara’s family”.
Downey, who also went by the last name Simmonds, was earlier sentenced to 18 months for aiding in prostitution in 1998. Other reports gave conflicting spellings for Simmonds.
An autopsy has not yet been scheduled. The cause of death was not known.
Monday 8:30 p.m. – Baillie’s relatives call police, concerned that she didn’t show up for her job at the Calgary airport Chili’s.
Tuesday 4:45 a.m. – Police publicly reveal that Taliyah’s mother is dead and her vehicle has been found near the home. The man charged for the brutal act is Edward Downey. “This rural area is no different”. The search for evidence will continue Friday. “Please allow her to come home to her family”, Marsman’s statement said.
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“[Sara] was just so supportive”, said Michelle Godin, a family friend and dance teacher at the studio Taliyah attended.
