Jessica Rae Newman's death ruled a homicide

Calgary police say the death of a Calgarywoman whosebody was found near Airdriehas been ruled a homicide.

Jessica Rae Newman, 24,last seen around 9:30 p.m. on March 10in the Forest Lawn area of southeast Calgary.

• Jessica Rae Newman's mother says her body was found near Airdrie

Her body was discovered in the ditchin a remote rural area by a work crew around 4 p.m. on Monday, police say.

On Tuesday, Newman's mother Rhonda Stewart told CBC News police contacted her as soon as the body was discovered.

"Within a couple of hours, our local police came to our house," saidRhondaStewart. "At this point at least we know that she's not suffering and she's not being held and hurt or tortured."

A specific cause of death has not yet been released, police say the investigation into her disappearance and death isongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8877 or Crime Stoppers.