Girl dead in southeast Edmonton, homicide section investigating

Little girl stabbed to death in Mill Woods Mill Woods is left reeling after a little girl was stabbed to death in her home. CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson reports.

EDMONTON — A young girl is dead after a stabbing in southeast Edmonton Monday night.

Police were called to a home at 25 Avenue and 43 Street at approximately 8:45 p.m.

When officers arrived, they found a young girl with life-threatening injuries.

“Efforts were made to try to save the child, however, unfortunately she succumbed to her injuries," EPS Insp. Erik Johnson said.

The girl was pronounced dead at the scene, and the Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section is investigating.

Melissa Desrosiers identified the girl as her seven-year-old daughter Bella and provided photos of her to CTV News Edmonton.

Police have a man in custody and aren't looking for other suspects.

Debbie Smith lives nearby and remembers a little girl selling lemonade at the house last September, raising money for the Stollery Children's Hospital.

"I just thought, she's adorable," Smith told CTV News Edmonton. "I can't believe this happened in my neighbourhood."

Bella’s death is only the most recent shock to the family and community; Desrosiers’ husband Ben died by suicide in July.

"Rough one last year you can say, very, very rough for the family and very rough for the block also," commented neighbour Ravi Sharma.

He said the family participated in the annual block party that he organized in recent years.

"They were nice, very nice to have a neighbour like this family," Sharma said. "I am not very sure what has happened, but there is something tragic that happened [Monday] night."