Paula Stiles identified as mother of three killed in Sherwood Park
The mother of three who was killed in her Sherwood Park home on Wednesday was "absolutely devoted to her daughters," a family friend told CBC News.
"Paula Stiles was the most generous person I have ever met," Edmonton author Todd Babiak said in a statement. "You felt it immediately when you met her: she was focused on what mattered in life.
"If there was a way to make someone else feel better, she would find it and do it. She was smart, funny, kind, philosophical, creative, and absolutely devoted to her daughters.
Neighbours on a quiet cul-de-sac in Sherwood Park where the body was found say Stiles and her husband separated last year and had three young daughters aged 6 to 13.
Before the split, people who lived on the street described them as "a perfect family."
Babiak's brother, Kirk, started dating Stiles after her marriage ended, and the two had big plans together.
"Her daughters and Kirk's sons bonded immediately, and their lives were quickly intertwined," Todd Babiak said.
"Paula and Kirk were looking at houses to move into - to bring their children together "Brady Bunch" style, and to enjoy the second half of their lives together - with joy, curiosity, and imagination."
In a photo posted on Kirk Babiak's Facebook page, he and Stiles posed for the camera.
A friend wrote beside the photo: "You two look great together."
Stiles wrote back: I am the lucky one here! Every little girl dreams of a fairytale. It just goes to show that if you wait long enough …"
According to her own Facebook page, Stiles studied at NAIT in the 1990s and at the time of her death worked as a training supervisor at Enbridge Pipelines. Under her married name, she was listed as co-owner of a $417,000 house on Foxhaven Court.
RCMP confirmed the death was a homicide on Thursday and finally identified Stiles on Friday afternoon.
More than 48 hours have passed since her body was found, but police have not yet said whether the killing was a random crime or made public any other details.
"We haven't been able to absolutely determine if this was a random crime or not," said Insp. Gibson Glavin, who added "there is no reason for anyone in the community to believe they might be at risk" from the person or persons who committed the crime.
Investigators have not made an arrest and won't say if they have any suspects.
Police have questioned family members, including Stiles' estranged husband, as witnesses, he said.
According to divorce documents filed last May, Paula Stiles and Ken Haeberle were married in 1997. She was 26 that summer and he was 29. Neither had been married before.
She took his last name. Their daughters were born in 2002, 2004 and 2008.
After their separation last February, she went back to using the surname Stiles.
Under terms of the divorce, she proposed joint custody, though the girls would have their primary residence with her. She asked for child support, but not for spousal support.
The divorce was never finalized.
