Remains of Lethbridge woman Tia Blood found

RCMP in Coaldale, Alta, have found the remains of a Lethbridge woman that had been missing for five days.

An autopsy was conducted Wednesday after human remains were found near Range Road 225 and Township Road 92 in Lethbridge County on Oct. 24.

Calgary police identified the body as 34-year-old Tia Blood of Lethbridge, who has been missing since Oct. 19.

The Blood family released a statement after the results came out, and said the news “devastated our large and loving family.”

“Tia was our shining light and words cannot describe how much she will be missed,” the statement read.

Her family says she was a loving wife and mother of two boys, and was an active member of the large family.

They say Blood loved sweets, baking, and took care of her health, and was “prayerful.”

“Tia was silly, non-judgemental, genuine, generous, loyal, dedicated, and protective,” it continued.

“She lived for her boys.”

The family says that speculation around the death is hurtful, and asks people to not take part in spreading rumours.

Investigators say the manner of death is “inconclusive.”

Police have arrested 20-year-old Lethbridge man Hunter Alexander Frank in relation to the investigation.

They’ve charged him with offering an indignity to human remains and two counts of theft under $5000.

Officers believe Blood died on the day she went missing, or sometime on Oct. 20.

Police want to speak with anyone that may have seen a teal-green tarp on the west side of Range Road 225 along the fence line, any time after Oct. 19.

Anyone with information regarding the disappearance or death of the victim is asked to contact the Coaldale RCMP at (403) 345-5552 or leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.