Who could do this to a child?

EDSON, Alta. — The slaying of a 14-year-old girl, killed in broad daylight on a wooded trail within steps of several homes, has left police imploring witnesses to come forward with tips on the baffling case.

On Sunday, police intensified their hunt for Emily Stauffer’s killer as an RCMP helicopter scoured a wooded area for clues.

As many as 20 police officers — some from neighbouring RCMP detachments — were also on the scene.
Emily was killed by a man who approached her as she was strolling through a tree-lined walking trail about 4:45 p.m. on Saturday.

CTV Edmonton reported that two young boys out riding their bikes witnessed the attack and pedalled home for help, but by the time emergency crews arrived, the girl was already dead.

The killing has sent waves of shock and fear through the town of about 8,000 residents 200 km west of Edmonton.

“From the few people I’ve (spoken to) today, it’s definitely rocked our community,” said Edson Mayor Greg Pasychny.

“It’s extremely shocking. It’s not something you prepare for.”

Police said her attacker might have fled the scene on an all-terrain vehicle.

The suspect is about 30, has brown hair, and was wearing a blue jacket and blue pants at the time of the attack.

RCMP Cpl. Wayne Oakes urged anyone with information to come forward.

“At this point, we want to hear about anything,” he said. “Whatever somebody saw in relation to an adult male leaving that area, investigators would like to speak with them.”

Oakes could not say whether Stauffer was sexually assaulted, or whether her killer attacked her with a weapon.

A man who lives close to the crime scene told CTV Edmonton he was listening to his police scanner at home when he first heard the call.

When he went to the pathway, he said he saw police performing CPR on the girl, who appeared to have been strangled with a rope.

She was later pronounced dead in hospital.

Emily’s father, a local pastor, has asked the community to pray for his family as they cope with their loss.

“Last night at about 4:45 p.m. our precious 14-year-old daughter Emily was attacked and killed as she went out for a walk,” Terry Stauffer wrote on his blog on Sunday. “We don’t know a lot of details, but we know that two young men came upon the scene right away, but it was too late for Emily.”

Friends and complete strangers of the family flocked to the pastor’s blog Sunday, many posting comments containing condolences and prayers.

“I have no words,” Dan wrote. “You’re walking a path of which the very thought reduces me to tears and horror.”

RCMP would not release the details on how the girl was attacked, or whether it was sexual in nature.

An autopsy has been scheduled for later this week.