Identity sought of woman in supposed suspicious-package confession video

Raw: Supposed suspicious-package confession A video showing a woman claiming responsibility for the delivery of several suspicious packages in Saskatoon was sent to media April 9.

A woman shown on a video sent to Saskatoon media this week claiming responsibility for the deliveries of several suspicious packages is being sought by police.

Investigators do not believe she is responsible for any criminal activity but think she may have information related to the case. Police are hoping the public can help identify her.

She may live in Saskatchewan or in the Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House area in Alberta, police believe. She’s described as white with dark, blonde hair and a slight build. Investigators believe she’s between 18 and 21 years old.

The video was sent to several individuals and select media Sunday, and was accompanied by a handful of emails claiming Alexa Emerson’s innocence.

Emerson, who’s also known as Amanda Totchek, turned herself in to police Monday after a Canada-wide warrant was issued for her arrest. She was wanted in connection with eight incidents in March and April in which packages containing white powder were sent to local businesses, a cancer centre and a school in Saskatoon.

The 31-year-old had been out on bail since January for charges related to an alleged October offence and for charges connected with five suspicious package deliveries on Nov. 29, 2016. She was hit with 54 new charges after turning herself in this week.

Police said Monday investigators question the legitimacy of the video and accompanying emails.

The emails’ sender, claiming to be the woman in the video, writes she and another woman sent packages and letters — at least some of which contained talcum powder and baking soda — around Saskatoon.

“She did it to get back at Alexa Emerson,” one email reads, before the sender threatens to deliver more packages.

“I will send this out and letters everyday until you find me and [name redacted], I will have hazmat out everyday for months to show you its [sic] my doing.”

CTV has so far received five emails.

The powder in the suspicious package deliveries was found to be not dangerous in all cases, but police still warned the public Monday to treat any suspicious package seriously. Investigators believe more packages are out there and not yet discovered.

Emerson, who was in police custody at the time the five packages were delivered in November, had turned herself in to police in connection with the October charges.

In the October incident, according to a court document, she is accused of sending videos, depicting herself being bound, assaulted and threatened, to a number of people. The videos were intended to mislead a police officer into suspecting a man of committing a crime he did not commit, the police allege.

A trial on the 15 charges she’s facing in connection with the Nov. 29 incidents and on charges of criminal harassment, public mischief and providing false information in relation to the October incident is scheduled to begin in May.

She’s pleaded not guilty to all charges. None of the allegations against her have been proven in court.