Body of missing Calgary actress found, husband charged with murder

Shannon Madill (Burgess) and Joshua Burgess at the Calgary Fringe Festival in August 2014 (Facebook)

Calgary police have located the remains of Shannon Madill (Burgess), missing since November 2014, in the Ramsay home she shared with her husband.

According to police, the body of the actress was located at the couple's home, located in the 1900 block of Spiller Road Southeast, on Friday during the execution of a search warrant.

Shannon’s husband, 29-year-old Joshua Burgess, has been arrested and charged with second degree murder in connection to her death.

“It wasn’t a tip," said Staff Sergeant Colin Chisholm of the CPS Homicide Unit. "As the investigation progressed it rapidly transitioned from a missing persons investigation into a homicide investigation.”

Staff Sgt. Chisholm says a cursory search of the home was conducted when Shannon was reported missing with the consent of the occupant. Joshua had been cooperative throughout the investigation and there were no prior calls to the Ramsay address.

“There was no history of domestic conflict, domestic violence, whatsoever in that relationship.”

Neighbours were surprised to hear the ‘normal guy’ with a quiet dog had been charged with second degree murder.

“I see this guy every week for a couple of times. He’s a normal guy,” said John Wysocki who has lived in the quiet community for 20 years. “They are normal people.”

"It's very hard to believe."

Wysocki said Joshua Burgess had lived in the home for roughly two years.

Shannon, 25 years old at the time of her disappearance, was scheduled to meet her brother at StageWest on Sunday, November 30, 2014, but never arrived. Her family reported her missing the following day.

Shannon, a performance artist and standup comedian, was a well known member of Calgary's and Edmonton's art circles.

In December, Joshua Burgess stood alongside members of Shannon's family during a plea for information about the missing woman's whereabouts during a media availability arranged by the Calgary Police Service.

At the time, Calgary Police Service Staff Sergeant Travis Baker was asked 'If the estranged husband (of Shannon) was being cooperative'.

"Absolutely," replied Staff Sgt. Baker. "The whole family has been cooperative."

Shannon's family confirms the couple had separated but continued to live together in their Ramsay home.

Joshua Burgess is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.