What we know about Edward Downey, charged in killing of Taliyah Marsman and her mother

The Calgary man charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Sara Baillie and her five-year-old daughter, Taliyah Marsman, has an extensive criminal record, investigators say.

Edward Downey, 46, who also goes by the name Edward Simmonds, was chargedafter Taliyah's body was foundon a rural property east of Chestermere late Thursday, ending athree-day Amber Alert. Earlier in the week, her mother was found slain in a home'sbasement suite thatshe shared with the child.

• A timeline of the killing of Taliyah Marsman and her mother Sara Baillie
• Families of slain Taliyah Marsman, Sara Baillie express 'profound grief' at 'senseless murders'
• Calgary family, police 'devastated' as charges laid in deaths of Taliyah Marsman, mother
• Taliyah Marsman and Sara Baillie's deaths mourned by 'the entire country,' Trudeau says

Police say the accused is known to both victims. Police originally said Downey also knew Taliyah's father, Colin Marsman Baillie's estranged common-law partner but said in June 2017 they no longer had confidence in that information.

"I don't know the level of trust there would have been there, but he is definitely known to Sara and Taliyah," said Insp. Don Coleman.

Downey is the only suspect at this point, and police said he has offeredlimited co-operation. Police say they have yet to find a motivefor the killings.

Downey was orderedto have no contact with the girl's father. Both menhave ties to Halifax.He will remain in custody until his next court appearance on Wednesday.

North Preston's Finest gang connections

CBC News has confirmed Downey is connected to the North Preston's Finest (NPF) gang. It also goes by the name Willis Crew. NPF members recruitgirls in the Maritimes, forcing them into prostitution in cities across Canada, according to Ontario police.

• Dismantled Toronto gang Heart of a King evolved from North Preston's Finest
• North Preston's Finest gang funnels girls to Ontario for prostitution: police

Calgary police were chasing these connections early in the investigation.

Downey previously convicted ondrug, weapons and pimping offences

CBC News has learned Downeyhad a lengthy criminal record, dating back at least 25 years, thatincludes convictions for cocaine trafficking, weapons offences and pimping-related charges.

Court records show Edward Delten Downey was convicted in 2008 of trafficking cocaine and possession of an unauthorized firearm. He was sentenced to four years. He was alsosentenced to 18 months in jail for pimping in 1998.

Downey and a woman, who owned a residencetogether in Coventry Hills, defaulted on their mortgage, and in 2011 were sued by the bank for $126,000 the amount still owing on the house.

Police are currently searching Downey's homein Calgary'snortheast community of Skyview Ranch.

Mother believed to be target

Police saythey currently believeBaillie, 34,was the target, but her cause of death isnot being released.

She has been described as ahard-working single mom.

"Sara was a beautiful young woman who was single-handedly pretty much raising her daughter, and we love her and we miss her," ScottHamilton said of his niece.

"We have lost a niece, a sister, a daughter and a mother ...God rest her soul," he said.

Baillie's aunt,Marilynne Hamilton, said the mother-daughter relationship was unique.

"Taliyah worships Sara,"Marilynne said through tearson Tuesday.

The uncle of Colin Marsmansays the family is heartbroken.

"The last couple of days have been very trying," said Barry Marsman.

"These heinous events have caused us unimaginablepain.... Our lives will never be the same, and it's really hard to put in words thegrief and shock thatwe feel."

'Our hearts are broken at the tragic end'

Many people across the country have also expressed shock and sadness.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I want to express our condolences to the families and the people of Calgary for the devastating loss of Taliyah and her mom, Sara," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeauas he appeared at the Calgary Stampede on Friday morning.

"I know there were a lot of hearts broken when the news came out, and there were so many volunteers and police services involved in trying to help a terrible situation that we all need to take a moment to send our love and hearts out to Taliyah and Sara's family."

NDP Leader TomMulcair also tweeted his thoughts.

Premier Rachel Notleyexpressedin a statement herdeepest gratitudeto members ofthe Calgary police, to thosewho heeded the Amber Alert and spread the word through social media,and otherswho joined in the search for Taliyah.

"Our hearts are broken at the tragic end of the search for little Taliyah. I know everyone prayed that she be found and returned to her family, to grow up as happy as she appeared in the photographs provided through the media."

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi simply said: "Our hearts are all broken."

Makeshift memorial grows

Calgarians continue to stopat the home whereTaliyahlived in the northwest community of Panorama Hillsto pay their respects.

Despite pouring rain at times on Friday, flowers, candles and stuffed animals continue to be placedin front of the house.

Irena Lucardie and her 12-year-old daughter, Kiahna, stopped to bring flowers and say a prayer.

"It's just so unbelievable. Not only becauseit's our community,but it's just an innocent child. Ijust can't imagine what would go through the mind of somebody to do that," saidIrena Lucardie.

Kiahna, whoattendedthe same dance studio asTaliyah, said:"She was always so happy and joyful."

Nicole May worked at a restaurantwithBaillie before Taliyah was born.

"It's really just disgusting," she said with tears in her eyes. "Ididn't know how someone could do that to a family."

Timeline of events

• Taliyahwas last seen with her motherat a Dairy Queen in Calgary's northwest on Sunday night.
• A young girl matching Taliyah'sdescription was seen by witnesses with a "stocky, black" man in a grey sedan around 11:30 a.m. MT Monday.She was carrying a suitcase.
• Police were called whenBailliedidn't show up for work on Monday. They discovered her body in the Panorama Hills basement suite where she was living with her daughter.
• An Amber Alert wasissued on Tuesday at 1:21 a.m. MT.
• Baillie'sfamily makes aplea forTaliyah's safe return.

Missing Calgary girl's family speaks

8 years ago

Duration 8:57

Family members of five-year-old Taliyah Leigh and her slain mother speak to the media

• Taliyah'sdad releases statement,and police say heis co-operating with the investigation.
• Police release Dairy Queensurveillance images fromSunday nightto the public on Wednesday.
• Police also release picturesof thegrey sedan spotted near where Taliyah mom's car was found by their home.
• Roughly100officersworkednon-stop on the case to find Taliyah.

• Asuspect is taken into custody at a strip mall on Wednesday.
• Evidence that the driver of the grey sedan was in a rural area east of Calgary leads to a search of thearea on Thursday, where Taliyah's bodyis found.The search iscontinuing as police search for more evidence.
• Downey appearsbefore a judge lateThursday.
• An autopsy for Taliyah isexpected to take place Friday.
• The date of the memorial services have not yet been released.