Calgary man charged with dismembering woman's body concealed in Crescent Heights

Calgary police have charged a manwith dismembering and trying to dispose of a woman's body that was found in a wooded area in Crescent Heights.

Joshua Jordan Weise,40, of Calgary, ischarged with offering an indignity to human remains. Weiseappeared in court in person on Monday,wearing leg shackles andblue coveralls.

• Calgary police seek help to identify body found in Crescent Heights
• Calgary police investigating after body found in Crescent Heights

"We don't believe there is a risk to public safetyin this matter. We don't believe the actions taken were criminal in nature, however the actions taken post-death definitely substantiate criminal activities so those were the charges that were laid,"saidInsp. Don Coleman of the Calgary policemajor crimes unit at a news conference on Tuesday.

Police say the victim and the accused "were acquaintances of some sort."

"It's clear there was a series of bad decisions made ... there was confusion and fear,"said Coleman.

Police recovered the body on June 8 after being called to alightly-forested area on the west side of the intersection of Centre Street Northand Samis Road, where a passerby had discovered the grisly scene.The dead woman was reported missing by a family memberon June 9.

Police were unable to immediatelyidentify the woman, even after an autopsy the following day, but now know who she was.

The identity of the victim will not be released, however,because investigators have not determined whether she died as a result of a criminal act.

Investigators are continuing to work with the medical examiner to determine the cause of death.

The woman's next of kin has been notified.

Remains disposed of in 'multiple locations'

After following up a tip,police now believe the woman died at a homein the 3900 block of FirstStreet N.W., which was owned by the accused. The victim did not live at the residence.

They allege that a man who lived at the home decided to dispose of the remains "in multiple locations," including the park in Crescent Heights. The investigation is ongoing and searches are continuingat local landfills. Police say the accused is co-operating with police.

Weisewill return to court on June 15, at which time it could be determined whether he is fit to stand trial.

Anyone with informationwho has not already spoken with investigatorsis asked to call police at 403-266-1234or the homicide unit tip line at403-428-8877.

Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers.