Sylvan Lake RCMP (rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Alessia Proietti

Girls under age 13

Two youths found deceased in Sylvan Lake hotel

Apr 12, 2023 | 3:21 PM

Correction: RCMP provided rdnewsNOW with an incorrect detail; initially the story stated one of the girls was 10 years old. They have notified us that the girl is in fact 12 years old. 

Central Alberta Mounties have confirmed that two local youth passed away over the weekend at a hotel in Sylvan Lake.

On Sunday, April 9 at roughly 10:43 a.m., Sylvan Lake RCMP received a report from Emergency Medical Services of two unresponsive females at the Best Western Hotel (5027 Lakeshore Dr).

Upon arrival, officers say they found the two girls, a 13-year-old Red Deer resident and 12-year-old Sylvan Lake resident, deceased.

“The investigation continues into what the circumstances are” said Alberta RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Troy Savinkoff. “RCMP are working with the medical examiner currently to determine the cause of the death. Certainly, a potential overdose is a possibility but RCMP are not confirming that at this time.”

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He described the incident as “extremely tragic”.

“There was a parent on site when police arrived. Exactly where the parent was when these occurrences took place is certainly part of that investigation,” he said.

Kurt Sacher, Superintendent of Chinook’s Edge School Division, confirmed that one of the students attended Fox Run Middle School in Sylvan Lake, which serves Grade 7 and 8.

He says parents were emailed about the incident alongside additional tips on how to speak with their children about grief and loss. He stated administration has also contacted the affected family to express their deepest condolences and to offer support.

“We’ve set up a number of supports for when school begins again on Monday for students and staff. We’ll have additional family school wellness workers in attendance,” he said. “We put in a number of processes to make sure that our students are as well cared for as possible and our staff as well.”

“Our thoughts are certainly with the family. This is devastating news, the loss of a child, can’t imagine a worse circumstance for someone to deal with. Our staff are certainly devastated by the news and impacted significantly by the loss of the student.”

Although Red Deer Public Schools declined to confirm what school the second student attended, they did say in a statement, “Our sincere condolences have been extended to the family at this difficult time, and we are working to support them, our staff and our students. We have encouraged families to utilize Alberta Health Services supports this week. Additional counselling supports will be provided by the Division to students and staff on Monday as they return from Spring Break. Out of respect, we will have no further comment.”

Both school divisions are currently on Spring Break until Monday, April 17.

Alberta Health Services says they have put additional resources in place to support those impacted, including opening up additional walk-in sessions with counselors to provide immediate supports.

“This is a tragic incident, and our deepest sympathies are with the families, loved ones and friends impacted by these losses,” they said in a statement.