Infant deaths shock northeast Calgary neighbours

Shocked neighbours who live near a northeast Calgary home where the bodies of a woman and three infants were found are wondering if they could have done anything to help.

Kalil Karboni, president of the Taradale Community Association, said he's been talking to area residents all day who wish they had known something was wrong.

"I think one of the regrets we're going through is that had we known about this earlier, at least we could have got the right people to help out," he said on Friday. "This is really tragic."

Police responded to a rented basement suite on Taracove Estates Drive N.E. on Sunday to investigate the death of Harsimrat Kahlon, 27. Officers thenfound the bodies of the threeinfants.

Police said it took them five days to publicize the case because they were waiting for the results of autopsies.

Autopsies have been performed on all four, and Kahlon's death is not considered suspicious, said Duty Insp. Rob Williams.

"Autopsies on these newborns have now been completed. However, the cause of their deaths is still unknown," said Williams. "Their deaths are considered suspicious in nature. Further testing is being done to determine a cause of death. This kind of testing can take weeks or even months."

No concern about killer on loose: police

Police are not disclosing the gender of the babies, their ages, how long they had been in the home, or if they had been born at the same time.

No further details about this case will be released until tests have been completed, including whether Kahlon was the children's mother or their caretaker, Williams said.

Despite the lack of information, police said they're confident this is not a case in which a killer is on the loose.

"I can probably reassure people that we're not concerned about a serial murderer loose in the northeast," Williams said.

Couple kept to themselves

Landlord Major Singh Brar said Kahlon lived in the basement unit for three years with her common-law husband, who found Kahlon's body and called police.

Brar said he didn't see any signs that Kahlon was pregnant or had children.

'Everyone kind of knows everyone and this kind of thing is very upsetting and shocking to all of us.' Kalil Karboni, Taradale Community Association

"We've always seen them together," said neighbour Umar Fiaz. "They were never separate, so that's what made us think they were a happy couple."

Sajid Dar, who lives in a house across the street, said he and several residents heard neighbourhood gossip that the woman was pregnant. He said he knew the couple only to say hello but they didn't talk much.

"They're very calm people, looked like very nice people," said Dar.

"We are quite a close community here," said Karboni. "Everyone kind of knows everyone and this kind of thing is very upsetting and shocking to all of us."

There are reports Kahlon was born in India and grew up in Winnipeg. She worked at a law firm in Calgary.