Carbon monoxide caused death of at least 1 of 3 found in car in northern Alberta, says family member

A family membertells CBCNews that at least one of the three young people found dead in a parked car outside a small northern Alberta community Tuesday died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Emily Lawrence said a medical examiner approached her mother around noon Wednesdaywith the news that her cousinTristan Dave-Lawrence, 21, had died from inhaling high levels of carbon monoxide.

"In this cold weather, we want everyone to inform their loved ones not to leave their cars running," Emily Lawrence told CBC News on behalf of the family.

Wood Buffalo RCMP and paramedics responded to a call for assistance at about 12:25 p.m. Tuesday afterthree people were foundby a security guard unresponsiveinside thevehicle near Conklin, Alta.

Dave-Lawrence, a29-year-old male driverand a 22-year-old womanwere all pronounced dead at the scene.

The other female victim in the car has been identified by friends as Tanisha Peterson.

Police said the two-door car was on the LagoonAccess Road in a semi-remote areanear Northlands Drive.

The male victim's identity is still unknown at this time.

Victimsupposed to return Saturday

Dave-Lawrence loved working with people, her cousin said Wednesday.

"She spent every day of her life making sure that people knew they were loved," Lawrence said.

Dave-Lawrence would often open her home to those living on the streetswhen she lived in Red Deer, Lawrence said.

She left Red Deer after the holidays to work at Karen's Restaurant and Lounge, the only restaurant in Conklin, a small hamleton Highway 881 between Fort McMurray and Lac La Biche.

Peterson was also working alongside her friend at the restaurant, where patrons said she would always greet everyone with a smile.

"She [Peterson] would always come check up on you to see if you were OK," said restaurant regularTiarra Tremblay.

Dave-Lawrence was supposed to be back in Red Deer to visit friends and family this weekend.

Her family wants to make sure others do not have to sufferthe same loss.

"As we do live in a place where people run their cars without thinking about it we want to protect other families from going through the same pain," Lawrence said.

"We had to lose, because of it, someone who is very important to us and to the people around her."

Wood Buffalo Victim Services is offering assistance to family, friends and witnesses in the area. Anyone in need of assistance is encouraged to contact the agency.

"Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family, friends, and anyone who has been impacted by this incident," Wood Buffalo RCMP said in a statement.