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Michelle Lee Hadwen, 37, was found critically injured on October 6th, 2009. She died two days later.

Hadwen was Edmonton's twentieth homicide victim of the year.

Case status is open and active.

While dealing with the death of a man who fell from a sixth-floor balcony early October 6th, 2009 homicide detectives were called out to assist at a second scene after a woman was discovered lying sick or injured near an alley at 7913 121 Avenue at about 4:10 a.m.

The woman was taken to hospital where she remained in very critical condition for two days before succumbing.

Her injuries were so severe she was initially thought to be dead at the scene.

Police first treated the matter as suspicious, admitting only that they were not certain if the woman was assaulted or hit by a vehicle.

"A woman was injured last night and she was taken to the hospital," Const. Shaun Bodnaruk offered. "That's all I can really say."

After several hours of examining the area and interviewing area residents (see images), little more was learned.

Homicide detectives then faced media cameras with what they knew.

"We have a severely injured female at this point and we're unsure exactly what may have happened or occurred here," Det. Jeff Kerr said.

"We can't say she's hit, not hit or anything. We're trying to establish what are the facts with her being there."

Investigators did say they were interested in speaking with anyone who may have been in the area between 2:45 a.m. and 4:10 a.m.

"So if people who maybe have gone to work that live in the area here between 79, 80, or 78 Street on 121 [Avenue] and that if they've heard some noises around four in the morning please give police a call and maybe give us a hint they heard something or saw something that can lead us in the right direction," Kerr pleaded.

"Given the time of day, a lot of people are asleep. We just count on witnesses coming forward, either through the media or locating them here today through our efforts," Det. Don Curle added.

Media did what they could interviewing area residents but only found reaction to the discovery of the severly injured woman – read more »

On October 8th the woman died in hospital.

A memorial soon appeared in the snow near where paramedics first found her.

An autopsy was performed the day the woman died and the next morning police declared 37-year-old Michelle Lee Hadwen to be the city's twentieth homicide victim of the year.

While the cause of death was held back for investigative purposes, police did say Hadwen's injuries and death were not the result of a vehicle collision.

Detectives said they were now looking to speak with two individuals – one who was possibly pushing a bicycle – who may have seen or walked past Hadwen on the morning she was found by a passerby.

In a news release, police said they were working with all relevant agencies that may have dealt with Hadwen in the past.

That included Project KARE, the joint task force investigating the cases of more than 25 Edmonton area women who have been reported missing or killed since 1983.

RCMP Cpl. Wayne Oakes confirmed that Project KARE had been consulted on Hadwen’s murder but was not actively involved in the case.

Kate Quinn, executive director of the Prostitution Awareness and Action Foundation of Edmonton (PAAFE), said she didn't know of Hadwen, but took note of the death of another woman on city streets.

"The important thing here is that a woman has been assaulted and killed. Violence against women in Alberta is very high, whether it's domestic, in street life or in the drug trade," she said.

While investigators checked on Hadwen's more recent activities, both the Edmonton Sun and Edmonton Journal uncovered details of the woman's past – read more »

Those with information about Hadwen's recent activities asked to contact Edmonton police at 780-423-4567, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), Project KARE at 780-495-KARE (5273) or 1-877-412-KARE (5273) or online at www.tipsubmit.com

Tips can also be text messaged. In Edmonton, text TIP250 + message and send to CRIMES (274637). In Northern Alberta, text TIP205 + message and send to CRIMES (274637).

The Edmonton Police Service website entry for Michelle Lee Hadwen can be seen here.

All the information presented on this page has been compiled primarily from published media reports and should not be interpreted as having legal bearing or other prejudice against the individuals named on this web site.
The Last Link on the Left practices fair presentation and the disclosure of relevant interests.
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deadmonton 2009 - michelle lee hadwen