EDMONTON — A man has been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of a Redwater woman. Robertas Kalkius, 46, was arrested May 13, five days after he was found seriously hurt and a woman was found dead on a rural property near Redwater, Alta. Mounties identified the victim on Monday as 49-year-old Anna Ermakova. Her 28-year-old daughter said she learned about her mom's death on Mother's Day, and the week since has been hazy. "It's kind of like living minute by minute, hour by hour. Some hours are worse than others, and some are better," Galina Ermakova told CTV News Edmonton. "It just doesn't feel real." Anna Ermakova, left, and Galina Ermakova, centre. (Supplied) The mother and daughter had planned an outdoor visit for Mother's Day. When they spoke on the phone, Anna had talked about her animals on the Redwater farm, and promised to send farm-raised pork roasts with Galina back to Edmonton. "She was the type of person who always put family first. She was a very family-driven person." So driven, Galina described, that within a year of the pair moving from Russia to Canada in 2004, Anna had been able to buy them a home. They had arrived with two suitcases and $5,000, Galina said. "I don't know how or what she did, she moved mountains for me to have a good life." Anna Ermakova (Supplied) VICTIM, ACCUSED LIVED TOGETHER: RCMP Kalkius was charged with assaulting Anna on Dec. 27, 2018. The charge was withdrawn Oct. 10 the next year. According to RCMP, Anna and the man accused of killing her were living together. Galina couldn't confirm what kind of relationship they had, but said she had met Kalkius and it was her understanding "they'd been together." Her mom had lived at the farm for a few years, she added, declining to comment further on the nature of the relationship. A family friend has started a fundraiser to help Galina cover the unexpected costs of death arrangements. It's odd, though appreciated, Galina said, to be receiving help from others, especially since her mother was so often the one offering others assistance. "The loss we have experienced is quite great," the daughter said, asking anyone reading to put flowers and a light in a window in remembrance of victims like her mother. "She was not just my mom, but also my sister and my best friend and the most wonderful parent you could ever have." Anna is also survived by Galina's nine-year-old daughter. Kalkius remains in hospital and was scheduled to appear in Vegreville provincial court on Monday. He's expected to enter a plea in Vegreville provincial court on June 7.
