RCMP identify five people charged in death of southern Alberta man

RCMP said Lane Tailfeathers — pictured here with his mother, left, and sister Tannis — was reported missing by his family on June 20, 2021. His remains were found a month later. (Submitted by Tannis Tailfeathers - image credit)
RCMP said Lane Tailfeathers — pictured here with his mother, left, and sister Tannis — was reported missing by his family on June 20, 2021. His remains were found a month later. (Submitted by Tannis Tailfeathers - image credit)

RCMP have identified five people from southern Alberta as those charged in the death of a 35-year-old man who was reported missing last summer.

The body of Lane Tailfeathers was discovered in a rural area in southwest Alberta last July, roughly a month after his family told Fort Macleod RCMP that he had gone missing.

On Saturday, Mounties announced they had arrested five people in connection with the homicide. The RCMP has now named them and their charges:

  • Richard Lavell, 43, and Miranda Turuk, 28, of Fort Macleod have been charged with second-degree murder. They will next appear in court on May 18 in Fort Macleod.

  • Randy Giroux, 40, of Fort Macleod has been charged with second-degree murder. His next court appearance was set for May 16 in Lethbridge.

  • Michelle Toth, 37, of Claresholm, Alta., has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder and an indignity to a body. Her next court date was slated for May 16 in Lethbridge.

  • Edward Goodrich, 51, of Granum, Alta., has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder and an indignity to a body. His next court date is set for May 18 in Fort Macleod.

Tannis Tailfeathers, Lane's sister, told CBC News after the arrests were made that the new development has been emotional.

The two were best friends and inseparable growing up, she said.

Continuing on in the wake of her brother's death has been immensely difficult for her and her family, she added.

"[It's been] a very tough, very difficult year. Still living in this little small town where he was murdered … it's just been something that I never thought my family would have to go through."