RCMP RELEASE – Friday, May 21st
Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit lay charges in stabbing death on Gift Lake Métis Settlement
Gift Lake Métis Settlement, Alta. – On May 19, 2021, at 6:52 p.m., High Prairie RCMP responded to a call from a neighbor of an intoxicated adult female at a residence next door causing a disturbance on the Gift Lake Métis Settlement.
High Prairie RCMP were en route to the residence at the Gift Lake Métis Settlement, which is located approximately an hour away from High Prairie, Alta., when another call was received at 7:46 p.m., that a stabbing had occurred at a residence on Gift Lake Métis Settlement where the intoxicated female was located.
High Prairie RCMP arrived at the residence and located an adult male who was injured and unresponsive. RCMP officers provided first aid until emergency medical services arrived and took over; however, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene at approximately 8:54 p.m.
On May 19, 2021, a short time later the female was located at a nearby residence and arrested by the High Prairie RCMP and held in custody.
Alberta RCMP Major Crimes took over carriage of this investigation and have been working in partnership with High Prairie RCMP and RCMP Forensic Identification Services. Further investigation has indicated an incident occurred between the female and the male at his residence, during which the male was stabbed.
On May 20, 2021, Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit charged Tara Rita Auger (38) of Red Earth Creek, Alta., for the Second Degree Murder of Russell Lawrence Lamouche (48) of the Gift Lake Métis Settlement.
Following a judicial hearing, Auger was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in High Prairie Provincial Court on May 31, 2021.
An autopsy is scheduled for next week at the Edmonton Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
As this matter is now before the courts, no further details will be provided.
