Edson schools were placed on lockdown and residents were asked to stay off walking paths after a woman was confronted by a man on a path just days after a teenage girl was murdered on the same trail system.

Police say a woman in her early twenties was accosted while she was walking along a path near the Tim Horton's on Edson's east side at about 1:30 Tuesday afternoon.

The details of the encounter have not been released, but the woman was taken to hospital for medical assessment after the incident.

Police spent much of the day searching a large trail system that spans east and west of Edson. Residents have been asked to stay off the pathway while police investigate.

This second attack comes only four days after 14-year-old Emily Stauffer was killed on the same system of trails.  Police are baffled by the brazen incident.

"Until we have the opportunity to identify the person involved we will be as mystified as the next person, how in the face of having so many additional police officers in the community, how something like this could happen," said Cpl. Oakes.

An autopsy completed by the Medical Examiner Monday confirmed Stauffer was murdered, but the cause of death is not being released by investigators.

A friend of the Stauffer family says they are staying strong.

"They seem to be holding up quite well, their faith is very, very strong and they take great comfort in that," said Eva Kivell.

Residents however, are confident police will be able to find the suspect.

"I have no doubts in my mind, they don't leave...too many stones unturned," said resident Ray Jardine.

Police describe the suspect involved in the Tuesday attack as:

  • A white male
  • In his mid-twenties
  • Taller than 5'9"
  • Muscular build
  • Dirty hands
  • Black hoodie with white lettering on chest, red lettering on the edge of the hood
  • Black BOCA pants
  • Strong smell of body odor and cologne

Police will compare the details of this incident to any possible links to the Sept. 27 attack.

"Until we conduct further investigation into this we really cannot definitively say if there is any link or commonality between the two," said RCMP Cpl. Wayne Oakes.

RCMP appeal to the public not to engage in any form of vigilantism.

Police ask the public to pass along any information about the possible suspect to them immediately.