The Alberta Major Crimes Unit has laid charges in relation to a suspicious death in Airdrie last week.
RCMP said after an autopsy was performed on the woman's body on Jan. 14, the manner of death was deemed a homicide.
As a result, 20-year-old Alexander James Thorpe of Airdrie has been charged with the second-degree murder of Melanie Lowen, 48, also of Airdrie.
"After a judicial hearing, Thorpe was remanded to custody and will next be appearing in Calgary Provincial Court on Jan.17," RCMP said in an update Jan. 17.
"As these matters are now before the courts, no further details can be released."
Airdrie RCMP found Lowen's body after entering a home during a wellness check on Jan. 13.
Police were first called about a man in medical distress at a northeast business around 8 a.m. An assessment led Mounties to conduct the check on the residence.
"The adult male was taken into custody in relation to the death, however, [he] was transported to hospital for his well-being and remains for an extended period," RCMP said in a statement.
According to prior reporting from Great West Media, Thorpe is a George McDougall High School alumnus, having graduated from the school in 2019. He made headlines that year by being one of three Airdrie students to score 100 per cent on one of his diploma exams that January, and also captained the Mustangs soccer team that spring.
