Police seeking information in historical homicide

Edmonton Police Service > Newsroom > Media Releases > Police seeking information in historical homicide

Police seeking information in historical homicide

At approximately 4:10 a.m. on Oct. 6, 2009, a passerby called 9-1-1 to report an injured woman lying in the roadway near 79 Street and 121 Avenue. Police and paramedics attended the scene; Michelle Lee Hadwen, 37, was treated and transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries in hospital on Oct. 8, 2009.

On Oct. 8, 2009, the Edmonton Medical Examiner completed an autopsy on Hadwen and determined the manner of death was homicide. The cause of death continues to be withheld for investigative purposes.

Following her death, investigators identified and connected with Michelle's friends and acquaintances and worked closely with any relevant agencies that may have had contact with her, hoping to garner information about the circumstances that lead to her injuries and death. At the time, police were able to rule out that her death was related to a vehicle collision.

2009 aerial views of Eastwood
Blue star indicates where Michelle Hadwen was located

Since 2009, officers have reviewed Michelle's case multiple times. This entailed seeking new information or advancements in technology that may have furthered the investigation. Unfortunately, no arrests have been made to date. As a result, detectives with the EPS Historical Homicide Section are now releasing video and photos of Michelle, with the hope it may encourage someone with information about her death to come forward.

Michelle Hadwen, 37

"While Michelle lived a fairly transient lifestyle, she was a highly social person and was well known in several circles that she frequented in areas such as 95 Street and 118 Avenue," says Detective Kim Jay with the EPS Historical Homicide Section. "Michelle spent quite a bit of time in establishments such as Reno's Pub, The Hub and The York Hotel and we are hopeful that someone who remembers her from these places may have information about the hours leading up to her death."

York Hotel

Michelle had several acquaintances at the York Hotel, many of whom lived there or frequented the hotel bar. Investigators learned that Michelle spent several hours at the hotel on the evening of Oct. 5, 2009. Surveillance video from that day shows Michelle interacting socially with several people at the York, before leaving the hotel. It appears that she left alone at 9 p.m., walking westbound on 104 Avenue.

Detectives are also hopeful that releasing additional photos of Michelle may prompt the memories of residents living in the Eastwood neighbourhood at the time she was located. In particular, investigators wish to speak with anyone who may have been in the area where Michelle was located.

Michelle Hadwen, 37

"We believe someone saw Michelle between the time she left the York at 9 p.m. on Oct. 5 and the time she was located injured in Eastwood just after 4 a.m. on Oct. 6," says Jay. "Perhaps someone saw her walking, talking with others, entering a business, travelling in a vehicle or boarding transit."

"Seemingly minor details could be instrumental in progressing our investigation and may help us finally bring some comfort to Michelle's grieving family."

Anyone with information related to Michelle Hadwen's death is encouraged to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.