Medicine Hat woman charged with first-degree murder, causing indignity to a body

By Southern Alberta Newspapers on November 26, 2021.

A 26-year-old Medicine Hat woman accused of killing a woman whose body was found in a rural area south of Pincher Creek last Friday, has been arrested.

Melissa Lynn Martens-Lagasse, who is charged with first-degree murder and causing an indignity to a human body, remains in custody at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre while she waits to hire a lawyer.

Her matter was in Lethbridge provincial court Thursday, where duty counsel lawyer Brett Carlson simply adjourned it until next week. Carlson told court the accused, who was not required to attend court, hopes to retain a lawyer by her next court hearing.

Police reported that last Friday the victim was travelling with another person to Alberta from British Columbia, and during the trip an “interaction” occurred resulting in the death of Megan Eekma, 34, of southern Alberta.

Police said as a result of their investigation and tips from the public, a suspect was identified, and on Tuesday Alberta Major Crimes Unit arrested and charged Martens-Lagasse.

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