A second degree murder charge has been laid against 36-year-old Tirth Sehmbi in connection to his wife's death. It's alleged he killed her early Saturday morning.
Police remained on scene Sunday, scouring the home of the Mountie where the victim was discovered dead.
CTV News has uncovered exclusive footage of Sehmbi along with fellow members of the Edmonton Police Service being introduced to the Alberta Legislature earlier this year. They were being honoured in celebration of a Sikh religious holiday. Now he's behind bars with the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team laying murder charges against him.
There is also suspicion surfacing about what Sehmbi may have been planning in the days leading up to the murder. A neighbour tells CTV News that Sehmbi approached him on Thursday and asked to use his holiday trailer for the weekend so that he could keep an eye on his own home.
In light of the charges, the RCMP say Sehmbi will soon be suspended with pay. Sources say he worked with a drug squad based in Stony Plain, and that he had a drug dog for a partner.
Word of the wife's death is starting to reach the Sikh community. Many are offering their condolences, including those at Gurdwara Mill Woods Temple, where friends say the wife frequented.
"As a community, we will offer whatever help we can to the related families," said Surin Singh Hoongan, Gurdwara Mill Woods Temple. "Our condolences are with the family of the victim."
Sehmbi used to volunteer for Radio Punjab, a radio station which focuses on South Asian issues and music. He and an Edmonton police officer co-hosted a radio program. The program, spoken in Punjabi, offered advice on navigating the Canadian legal system.
Sehmbi is scheduled to appear in court Monday.
With files from CTV's Sean Amato...
