Police investigating Alberta homicide find remains at waste facility

GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. – Mounties in northern Alberta say human remains have been found at a waste management facility they had been searching as part of a homicide investigation.

RCMP say the remains were found Saturday at the Aquatera Waste Management site in Grande Prairie.

Courtney Breanna Johnstone, 26, of Grande Prairie was reported missing on Jan. 30.

While RCMP charged a man with her death last week, officers hadn’t found her body.

Police say they’re still working to confirm the identity of the remains and an autopsy is anticipated early this week.

Shane Gregory Babitsch, 21, of Grande Prairie has been charged with first-degree murder.

His next court appearance is March 12 in Grande Prairie.

Police say they are continuing to investigate.

Officers had been searching the waste site since Feb. 11.

Mounties said in a news release last week that the search was “methodical and arduous,” noting that they faced challenges such as cold weather, snow and dangers that included industrial and medical waste as well as toxic gasses.

They said their investigation was helped by the fact Johnstone’s family and friends were quick to report her missing.