In the late summer of 2022, 28-year-old Angela Morningstar Alexis was navigating a life marked by profound loss and personal struggles. Just days before she vanished, on August 13, she was released from the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre and made her way back to the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, about 74 kilometers west of Edmonton, Alberta. She briefly visited her sister in Edmonton before returning to the First Nation, where she spent time socializing with family and friends.
Described by her family as outspoken, strong-willed, and a devoted mother to her surviving children, Angela was carrying the weight of a horrific tragedy from 2019, when a house fire claimed the lives of her mother, stepfather, and three of her children. The last confirmed sighting of Angela was on the evening of August 17, 2022. She had sent a Facebook message to her uncle asking for cigarettes, and he met her at the residence where she was staying on the reserve. After that brief encounter, Angela Morningstar Alexis was not seen or heard from again.
The initial days following August 17 passed without alarm, but as a couple of weeks went by with no word from Angela, her family grew deeply concerned. This lack of contact was uncharacteristic for her. Her sister in Edmonton received a troubling call from an aunt on the reserve, who suspected something terrible had happened to Angela. This prompted her sister to contact their father, who then officially reported Angela missing to the Mayerthorpe RCMP on September 2, 2022. The news of her disappearance spurred immediate and extensive search efforts. Family members, community volunteers, and search-and-rescue teams combed through the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and surrounding areas. These searches were aided by drone operators and search dog teams, and explored various locations, including burned-down properties and abandoned buildings, often prompted by painful local rumors. Possible sightings were reported in Edmonton, but none have been confirmed.
As the search for Angela continued, the investigation into her disappearance intensified. The Mayerthorpe RCMP initially handled the case, but it was later transferred to the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit. Investigators have conducted numerous interviews and followed up on various leads, but have not publicly stated whether they believe foul play was involved in her disappearance. The community rallied in support of Angela's family, holding a candlelight vigil and combining a search with a monthly rally against drugs and alcohol, an issue that had affected Angela's life. Her family, already scarred by the previous loss of her brother, whose remains were found months after he went missing in 2013, has had to endure the spread of malicious rumors while holding onto hope. The case of Angela Morningstar Alexis is a heartbreaking story of a young mother who had endured immense tragedy before she vanished. Despite the comprehensive searches and the ongoing police investigation, her whereabouts remain unknown, leaving her family and community with unanswered questions and an enduring sense of loss.Last Seen: Aug 17, 2022
