A father is facing murder charges after his two young children were found dead in a vehicle just steps from a Calgary police station on Thursday.
Officers discovered the bodies of a five‑year‑old boy and a three‑year‑old girl inside an SUV parked across the street from the Calgary Police Service District 3 station around 10 a.m.
Police were alerted to the parked vehicle on 14 Street NW, north of John Laurie Boulevard, after receiving a tip call. A 37‑year‑old man who was found outside the vehicle was arrested at the scene.
Calgary police Staff Sgt. Mark Rahn said Friday that the accused himself called 911, told the operator he had killed his children, and provided his location.
He was instructed to place his keys on the hood and exit the vehicle, where responding officers found him. He later repeated his confession in an interview room.
The day before the killings, the mother contacted police when the father failed to return the children after an agreed‑upon outing. Officers advised her to seek a court order that would allow police to retrieve the children; Rahn said she was attempting to obtain that order on Thursday morning when the deaths were discovered.
Investigators believe the father picked up the children between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, travelled west of the city for several hours, and returned to Calgary around 8 a.m. Police now believe the killings occurred shortly before midnight.
Rahn confirmed the children’s parents had a domestic history with CPS, with officers attending their residence four times in the past. No charges were ever laid and there had been no prior reports of violence toward the children.
The couple had been in a six‑year relationship and separated nearly a year ago.
Investigators have not confirmed a motive.
“Why any individual would kill their own children, I don’t think anyone would be satisfied with any kind of answer I could give,” he said.
Rahn said the last two days have been extremely difficult for first responders and investigators.
“This is a devastating and unimaginable loss,” he said. “Discovering dead children is incredibly traumatic, not just for us, but for everyone who attended.”
The accused was described as compliant during his arrest and remains cooperative, according to police.
He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and has been remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
A publication ban prevents his or the victim’s identity from being disclosed.
With files from The Canadian Press
Calgary police investigating after two children were found dead in NW Calgary on Apr. 30, 2026. (CityNews/Nick Blakeney)