At approximately 1:50 p.m., Monday, April 23, 2018, Northeast Division officers responded to a weapons complaint in the area of 78 Street and 143 Avenue. It was reported to police that a male suspect, identified as Kenneth Richards, 35, allegedly broke into a residence in the area and, a short time later, a gunshot was reportedly heard.
Upon arrival officers found an injured 25-year-old female identified as Brittany Vande Lagemaat. EMS responded, treated and transported Vande Lagemaat to hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
At the time, police suspected Richards may have fled to an address in the area of 143 Avenue and 82 Street; however, he was not located and remains at large.
An autopsy was conducted by the Edmonton Medical Examiner today, Wednesday, April 25, 2018. At this time, Vande Lagemaat’s cause of death remains undetermined pending further testing; however, homicide detectives have deemed the manner of death to be homicide.
Investigators are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Richards, who is wanted on province-wide warrants for second-degree murder, housebreaking with intent, possess a prohibited loaded/restricted firearm, possess a prohibited firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm and breach of recognizance.
Richards is described as 5’11” tall, weighs 160 lbs and has blue eyes and short brown hair with a receding hair line. He has several tattoos, including a symbol on his upper torso and the word “Brittany” tattooed on his left forearm. Richards was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black zippered hoody, a black baseball cap and black sunglasses. Photos of Richards and his tattoos are included below.
Kenneth Richards, 35
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 160 lbs
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Tattoos
Richards and Vande Lagemaat were known to one another.
Richards is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
Anyone with information about Richards’ whereabouts is urged to not approach him and contact the EPS immediately at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.
Every file is evaluated on a case by case basis. The EPS decided to release the name of the deceased as it serves an investigative purpose.