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Sara Ann Sanders, 28, was found dead on October 15th, 2009.

Sanders was Edmonton's twenty-first homicide victim of the year.

Michael Bryan Flanigan, 40, was charged with second-degree murder.

recording of voice message released | arrest warrant issued | suspect arrested
appeal renewed

Officers were called to a downtown residence around 10:00 a.m. October 15th, 2009 after the body of a 28-year-old female was discovered.

A family member had contacted police after they went to check on the woman at her Rossdale House apartment at 9825 103 Street.

Homicide detectives became involved after an initial investigation deemed the woman's death to be suspicious in nature. At first, police released few details about the investigation.

"It is still in its early stages," a spokesman said. "No suspects have been identified."

While some sources indicated the woman lived alone, others reported she shared the suite with a male roommate and had only moved in within the last month.

Investigators focused their efforts on the second floor and officers were seen scouring the grounds around the 19-storey building.

Metro Edmonton spoke with several Rossdale House tenants but little was learned as no one seemed to know the deceased woman – read more »

Results of an autopsy led police to determine the death of 28-year-old Sara Ann Sanders was a homicide.

Cause and time of death was withheld for purposes of the investigation.

Asked how the death was deemed to be a homicide, a police spokesman revealed little.

"Certainly the results of the autopsy played a role, but it’s more or less dependent on the information that’s garnered throughout the investigation, whether that’s physical evidence or eyewitness accounts," he said.

"No suspects have been identified, however we are following up on several strong leads," the spokesman added.

"We're so devastated by what happened," Sara's father David Sanders told the Edmonton Journal from his home near Ardrossan. "We're in utter turmoil."

Too distraught to offer much, her father did say Sara grew up in Edmonton.

"I'm sure the Edmonton city police will do their job and find out what happened," David said.

A memorial for Sara Sanders took place on October 20th, 2009 – read more »

Recording of voice message released

On October 20th, 2009 police released a recording of a telephone voice message left for Sara Sanders.

On the recording, a man tells Sara that he has found her BlackBerry cell phone.

Investigators believe Sanders lost her phone somewhere in Edmonton prior to Saturday, October 10th. The man who said he found the phone called that day at 7:50 p.m.

"Hi, um, you don’t know who I am but I found your phone, it's a BlackBerry phone. I just looked in your things to find your phone number. Could you please give me a call on your BlackBerry, so I can get a hold of you and give it back to you or get in touch with you somehow? Please and thank you. Bye."

The actual recording can be heard here (1 MB wav file, right click and Save Target or Link As).

The caller left no name or contact information, and repeated attempts by police to call the phone have gone unanswered.

Investigators stressed they did not believe this person had any connection to Sanders' homicide, saying only they needed to retrieve the phone and determine where and when it was found – read more »

Arrest warrant issued

On November 4th, 2009 police announced that an arrest warrant for second-degree murder had been issued for a suspect in Sanders' homicide.

Investigators said they were looking for 40-year-old Michael Bryan Flanigan. Officers believed he may fled to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Flanigan was also wanted by the London Police Service on Canada-wide warrants for assault, uttering threats, forcible confinement, mischief under $5000 and other charges arising out of incidents in Ontario.

Police advised Flanigan may pose a threat to the public and should not be approached.

At a news conference, the lead detective on the case updated media – read more »

"Last known whereabouts of Mr. Flanigan is believed to be Vancouver and we're appealing to the public for their assistance in locating and arresting Mr. Flanigan," homicide Det. Dale Johnson said.

Flanigan was spotted in the lower mainland shortly after Sanders' death but may have moved on, Johnson said.

"We ask anyone who sees him to notify the police in whatever jurisdiction they're in."

Flanigan was described as 5-feet 9-inches tall and weighing just under 200 pounds. Johnson warned members of the public not to approach the man.

"We don't believe him to be armed but we do have concerns," he said. "It has to do with the unpredictability of anybody who is facing murder charges."

Johnson would not say what connection, if any, Flanigan had to the victim or what the motive was behind her death. Nor would Johnson say what led police to Flanigan, who was believed to be an Edmonton resident.

Court records indicated Flanigan had been charged by London, Ontario police in March 2008. He was released on bail, but failed to show up for court in January 2009 when Canada-wide warrants were issued.

Police also renewed their appeal to the man who found Sanders' BlackBerry and left a message on her answering machine saying he had found it. Investigators re-affirmed that the Good Samaritan was not considered a suspect in the matter.

Johnson clarified that investigators don't believe Flanigan was the man who found the phone.

The cause and time of Sanders' death continued to be withheld.

One local journalist took it upon himself to hit Edmonton streets in search of the wanted man – read more »

Suspect arrested

On November 6th, police announced that Flanigan had been arrested by RCMP near Loon Lake, Saskatchewan the previous afternoon. Loon Lake is about 135 kilometres northeast of Lloydminster.

Local media were instrumental in breaking the case, as RCMP acted on a tip provided by a citizen who saw coverage of Sanders' murder the day before.

Homicide detectives went to Saskatchewan to interview Flanigan and were expected to transport him to Edmonton within a week.

Police charged Flanigan with second-degree murder.

Investigators had yet to puzzle out Flanigan's movements in the days leading up to and following Sander's homicide. He was thought to have travelled between British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in the past month.

New of the arrest prompted the Edmonton Journal to publish details of an interview conducted with a longtime friend of Sanders – read more »

Appeal renewed

On January 27th, 2010 Edmonton police renewed their appeal for the public's help in identifying a man who left a voice mail message on Sara Sanders' home answering machine about finding her BlackBerry.

Investigators revealed they believed the call was made from the Vancouver area.

The actual recording can be heard here (1 MB wav file, right click and Save Target or Link As).

The call was placed at 6:50 p.m. PST on Saturday, October 10th, 2009 from a location in downtown Vancouver.

Family members discovered Sander's body five days later. Results of an autopsy continue to be withheld.

Police first released the phone message to the public on October 20th. The caller left no name or contact information, and repeated attempts by police to call the phone have gone unanswered.

“We do not believe this person is in any way related to the homicide. We do not feel the male has any reason to be concerned about coming forward to police," homicide detective Dale Johnson said in a release.

"We simply need to identify the caller, retrieve the phone, and learn the circumstances under which the phone was initially found.

“Although an arrest has already been made in this case, we still need to piece together all the circumstances that occurred in the days prior to and after Ms. Sanders' death.”

Police had executed a search warrant on Sanders' phone records to determine the location of the cellphone tower her phone used to make the call.

Johnson also revealed the man they charged with second-degree murder lived with Sanders in her suite.

Those with information about the caller were asked to contact police at 780-423-4567, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) 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).

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.
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deadmonton 2009 - sara ann sanders