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By Darren Rathwell

Medicine Hat woman accused of first-degree murder

Nov 25, 2021 | 12:19 PM

PINCHER CREEK, AB – Police say a Medicine Hat woman is accused of murder following the discovery of a body in the Pincher Creek area.

Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit have charged 26-year-old Melissa Lynn Martens-Lagasse with first-degree murder and an indignity to human remains.

“The victim was travelling with another individual from British Columbia to Alberta. During the trip, an interaction occurred resulting in the death of Megan Eekma, 34, from southern Alberta,” an RCMP news release stated.

An autopsy was carried out on Nov. 22, and Martens-Lagasse was arrested the following day in Medicine Hat.

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Police were called to a rural area where a body was found at about 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19th.

A number of images including one of the victim were released to the public to help identify the deceased woman.

Police also indicated they were looking for information about any suspicious vehicles that may have been in the area.

RCMP say Martens-Lagasse “did not speak to bail” during a judicial hearing.

She was slated to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court today, and a statement from Alberta Courts states the case has been adjourned to Dec. 1 for election and plea.

“The Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit would like to thank the Medicine Hat Police Service for their assistance, as well as RCMP Detachments in southern Alberta who were involved in this investigation,” the RCMP news release added.

Updated 4:40 p.m. Nov. 25/21 to include background of case