Two men are facing first-degree murder charges in connection with the disappearance of a Calgary woman last seen in February.
In an update on Wednesday, Calgary police say they believe 29-year-old Chelsea Davidenas was killed hours after she went missing on Feb. 17.
Davidenas was last seen that day and was reported missing 10 days later, on Feb. 27, after her family said they had not been able to get in touch with her.
“Since then, we have received numerous tips and taken several investigative steps in an attempt to locate Chelsea,” reads the police release. “Sadly, based on the totality of the evidence collected, investigators believe that foul play was involved, and that Chelsea was the victim of a homicide.”
Police have charged two men, 52-year-old Calgary resident Paul Joseph Rushton and 26-year-old Airdrie resident Steven Aaron Zwick, with one count of first-degree murder each.
The pair are expected to appear in a Calgary courtroom on Thursday.
Victim lured to NE Calgary home, police believe
Investigators allege Davidenas was lured to a home near 52 Street NE and Rundlehorn Drive NE in the early morning hours of Feb. 17 on the pretense of a date. Police believe she was killed inside the home.
CityNews spoke with her family last month, who said they believe Davidenas may have been taken against her will.
Her aunt said the last time Chelsea was seen, she was getting out of an Uber or taxi in Rundle and going into someone’s house, but the family didn’t know who the house belonged to.
Police say her remains have not been located, but say they have gathered a significant amount of physical and digital evidence.
“Investigators have been working tirelessly over the last month in an effort to locate Chelsea,” says Staff Sgt. Mark Rahn of the CPS Homicide Unit in a statement. “Tragically, this is not the update that we’d hope to make.”
“We are committed to finding answers for Chelsea’s family and will not rest until her remains have been located.”
Police believe her remains were removed from the NE Calgary home on Feb. 20 before being transported to a rural area southeast of Chestermere in a stolen, dark blue, low-profile, 2001 Honda Civic with white rims. Anyone with further information is being urged to contact police.
Davidenas was likely targeted because of her history as a sex worker, police say. They do not believe the case is linked to any other missing people in Calgary.