RCMP identify five people charged in death of southern Alberta man

UPDATE:Between March and August 2024, the five people charged in connection with Lane Tailfeathers' death pleaded guilty and were sentenced.

Richard Lavell, Miranda Turuk and Randy Giroux each pleaded guilty to manslaughter and were handed sentences of two years and nine months.

Michelle Toth and Edward Goodricj pleaded guilty to committing anindignity to human remains. They each received a one-year sentence.

RCMPhave identified five people from southern Alberta as those charged inthe death of a 35-year-old man who wasreported missing last summer.

The body of Lane Tailfeatherswas discovered in a rural area in southwest Alberta last July, roughly a month after his family told Fort MacleodRCMP that he had gone missing.

On Saturday, Mounties announced they hadarrested five people in connection with the homicide. The RCMPhas now named them and their charges:

• Richard Lavell, 43,and Miranda Turuk, 28, of Fort Macleodhave been charged with second-degree murder.They will next appear incourton May 18in Fort Macleod.
• Randy Giroux, 40,of Fort Macleodhas been charged with second-degree murder.His next court appearance was set forMay 16 in Lethbridge.
• Michelle Toth, 37,of Claresholm, Alta., has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder and an indignity to a body. Her next court date was slated for May 16 in Lethbridge.
• Edward Goodrich, 51, of Granum, Alta., has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder and an indignity to a body. His next court date is set for May 18 in Fort Macleod.

Tannis Tailfeathers, Lane's sister, told CBC News after the arrests were made that the new development has been emotional.

The two were best friends and inseparable growing up, she said.

Continuing on in the wake of her brother's death has been immensely difficult for her and her family, she added.

"[It's been] a very tough, very difficult year. Still living in this little small town where he was murdered it's just been something that I never thought my family would have to go through."