Edmonton Police are opening up a cold case, and asking anyone with information on the murder of a 19-year-old woman twenty-five years ago to come forward.
The EPS historical homicide section is re-visiting the murder of 19-year-old prostitute Melodie Riegel on September 20, 1986.
Riegel went by the name "Tasha" on the street, and was last seen wearing a purple leather jacket, a blue and black turtleneck sweater, blue jeans and white boots.
Police said Riegel's last known whereabouts that night were 107 Street and 102 Avenue, at about 10 p.m.
"At approximately 11 p.m., an unknown male checked into room 320 of the Pan American Motel," Acting Detective Bryce Clarke said in a press conference Wednesday. "He signed the registration card as Brent Stevens from Grande Prairie,"
"That information is thought to be fictitious."
The motel once stood at 106 Street and Kingsway Avenue.
A chambermaid found Riegel's body at about 12:30 p.m. on September 21, 1986.
An autopsy determined she had been strangled.
On the 25th anniversary of her death, investigators are renewing their call for more information on her death.
Although this case is just one of many cold cases in the files of Edmonton Police, investigators hope key witnesses who did not come forward decades ago are more willing now.
"Where it helps us is witnesses situations change," Detecting Howie Antoniuk of the EPS Historical Homicide unit said Wednesday. "With a change in situation we may be able to go back and talk to them."
Police said they received a tip Wednesday morning, but because of the age of the case it could take months to follow up on that or any new tips.
Anyone with information can call the complaints line at (780) 423-4567 or leave an anonymous tip with Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
With files from David Ewasuk
