The body of a missing Saskatchewan girl was found Thursday, after police issued an Amber Alert in the seven-year-old’s disappearance.
An emotional RCMP Insp. Jennifer Ebert told reporters that Nia Eastman was found dead inside a residence in Choiceland, Sask.
“All of us had hoped and prayed that Nia would be located safely…This is a difficult day for all of us,” Ebert said.
“Our condolences go out to the family.”
Nia’s father, Adam Jay Eastman, was found dead earlier Thursday. Police said he apparently died from self-inflicted injuries.
Ebert said police do not believe that anyone else was involved in Nia’s death.
Ebert said investigators are now trying to piece together events in the last hours of Nia’s life. She was picked up from school by her father on Wednesday. She was supposed to be returned to her mother in Nipawin, Sask., by 7 p.m. that day, but never made it home.
Neighbours have told CTV News that Adam Jay Eastman and his wife had recently separated.
A Facebook page belonging to a Jay Eastman includes several pictures of a girl who appears to be Nia, posted over the last couple of years. On Wednesday, the profile and cover photos on the page were changed to an image of skull and crossbones, with the words “Leave me alone I’ve had enough.”
Ebert said autopsies have been ordered to determine how Nia and her father died.
"Our investigators are working diligently to determine exactly what took place," she said.
Court documents show that Adam Jay Eastman was facing an assault charge in connection with an August incident involving Nia’s mother. He had a scheduled court appearance on Wednesday, but it is not clear whether he actually attended.
