Tania Murrell was six years old when she was last seen walking home from Grovenor Elementary School on January 20, 1983, at approximately 11 a.m. for her lunch break. Family and friends reported her missing when she did not arrive home. Despite four decades of extensive investigative efforts, her disappearance remains unsolved.
The case continues to weigh heavily on all those involved including Tania’s surviving family members, police, and the community. Since 1983, Tania’s disappearance has become one of the city’s most heartbreaking unsolved cases and is the EPS’s only outstanding missing child case.
Working closely with Tania’s family, detectives from the Edmonton Police Service Historical Crimes Unit have created an age-progression composite sketch depicting how Tania may look today at age 49. The composite was created using photographs, known physical characteristics, modern forensic techniques, and direct consultation with family.
Age-progression sketches of Tania Murrell at age 49
"It's important to remember that an age-progression image is an investigative tool, not a definitive representation," says Detective Melanie Grace of the EPS Historical Crimes Section. "In cases where there have been no new advancements for decades, age-progression sketches allow us to show what a missing child may look like today if they are alive. We're hoping this will jog someone's memory. Maybe there is someone out there who remembers a detail from the time of her disappearance or from someone who believes they recognize the person depicted in the sketches. Even small details can be critical in advancing an investigation."
At the time she disappeared, Tania was noted to be wearing a blue and white winter coat, green corduroy pants, a black Harley Davidson T-shirt, and brown boots. She has a noticeable birthmark on her forehead at her right temple.
“Tania is not forgotten. Her disappearance has plagued many members of the police service because there has never been an answer. The Historical Crimes Unit exists for cases like these where time has passed but responsibility has not,” says Det. Grace.
Tania Murrell, at age 6 in 1983
“On the 43rd anniversary of the disappearance of my niece, Tania, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the many people who have been involved in the search for answers and have kept hope alive for more than four decades,” says Vera Stortz, Tania’s aunt. “Special thanks go to journalist Gary Poignant who reported on Tania’s disappearance in 1983 and has never let the story die. I would also like to thank the Edmonton Police Service for their continued efforts to solve this case and for working with me to create a new updated image of what Tania might look like today.”
Police are asking anyone with information about Tania Murrell’s disappearance to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.