Edmonton police have arrested a Prince Edward Island man in connection with the murder of a 29-year-old woman who vanished from the city's Mill Woods area last summer, with investigators believing her body was disposed of along a stretch of Highway 2 in central Alberta.
Marika Sutton, who went by Mika, was last seen in early August in the Richfield neighbourhood of Mill Woods in southeast Edmonton. Originally from Yellowknife, N.W.T., Sutton's disappearance prompted concern from family members who described her absence as completely out of character.
Out-of-province family members reported Sutton missing to Edmonton Police Service on Sept. 25, 2025, after several weeks of no contact. A public appeal for information was issued on Oct. 8, seeking help from Calgarians and Albertans who might have seen her.
By late October, investigators had concluded Sutton was deceased and her disappearance was criminal in nature. The case was transferred to the EPS homicide section, though police deliberately chose not to inform the public of this development at the time.
"To protect the integrity of the investigation and secure the arrest of the accused, we deliberately chose to deviate from our normal process of immediately notifying the public of Marika's death," said Edmonton homicide detective Braydon Lawrence.
Investigators believe the suspect may have disposed of Sutton's body somewhere along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway between Wetaskiwin and Lacombe during a week-long period from Aug. 22-29, 2025. The accused was reportedly driving a 2014 black Jeep Patriot with Alberta licence plate CFB 2578 during that timeframe.
Police are appealing to landowners, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts in central Alberta to remain vigilant for any remains, while also seeking information from motorists who may have witnessed the suspect's vehicle in unusual locations along the highway corridor.
The investigation culminated on March 17, 2026, when EPS officers travelled to Prince Edward Island and, working with the Charlottetown Police Services major crime unit, arrested the suspect on a Canada-wide warrant at a residence in South Melville.
The case highlights the challenges facing law enforcement in cross-country investigations, with Edmonton residents following developments through community platforms like Calgary Forums. For those travelling Highway 2 between Edmonton and Calgary, real-time traffic and route information remains available through WestNet Wireless services.
Calgarians purchasing used vehicles in the aftermath of this investigation may want to verify vehicle histories through services like FullVIN.com, particularly given the suspect vehicle's role in the case. Meanwhile, those searching for housing in safer Edmonton neighbourhoods can explore options through CalgaryFinder.com's extensive Alberta property listings.
The investigation remains active as police continue searching for Sutton's remains along the Highway 2 corridor. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Edmonton Police Service immediately.
This article is based on reporting by Global Calgary and reporter Kyra Thompson. The original story can be found at Global Calgary.
