Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
A 53-year-old male has been charged in relation to the double homicide of a 24-year-old female and her 16-month-old toddler in Hinton.
On Sept. 16, police responded to a report about the missing mother and child, who were last seen in Hinton.
In a Sept. 17 news release, RCMP confirmed that the bodies of the mother and her child have since been located.
Alberta RCMP Major Crimes later arrested the suspect on Sept. 17 in Hinton, in relation to this investigation.
Robert Keith Major of Hinton was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of indignity to human remains.
“Investigators have learned that Robert Major lived in the same apartment complex as the 24-year-old female victim and her 16-month-old child,” RCMP stated in a Sept. 18 news release.
“No other connection has been identified between the victims and the perpetrator and police are not seeking any other suspects in this case.”
Autopsies were completed at the Edmonton Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the manner of death was deemed to be homicide in both autopsies.
On Sept. 21, Alberta RCMP Major Crimes confirmed that the homicides took place on the afternoon of Sept. 16 at the apartment of Major, prior to the missing persons complaint being received by Hinton RCMP.
“This tragic loss of life is incredibly difficult for all involved, especially the family of the victims,” RCMP added.
“The family has asked for privacy to grieve at this time and of respect for the wishes of the family, the names of the deceased will not be released by the RCMP.”
Police also clarified that Major had not been subject to any recognizance conditions since July 2020.
Major’s next scheduled court appearance in Hinton Provincial Court is Oct. 20.
While no other suspects are being sought at this time, the investigation into these homicides is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hinton RCMP at 780-865-2455, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at or by using the “P3 Tips” app.
Editor's note: The story was last updated on Saturday, Sept. 21.
