Edmonton girl ‘had a huge, kind heart that enjoyed life’
EDMON TON A 34-year-old man has been charged with the second-degree murder of seven-year-old Bella Rose Desrosiers.
In a Wednesday news release, police said the man was visiting with Bella Rose’s mother, Melissa Desrosiers, Monday evening at their Mill Woods home at 43 Street and 25 Avenue. Police said it was reported the child was stabbed in front of Melissa, who tried to intervene. Police said Melissa attempted CPR until paramedics arrived after calling 911.
Bella Rose was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy on Wednesday confirmed the cause of death as “sharp force injury,” police said.
When officers arrived, the man was arrested without incident.
On Wednesday, Melissa gave a prepared statement to media outside of her home, next to a memorial that friends and family made for her daughter.
Standing with her older brother, the mother of two said her family was grateful for the outpouring of support from the community.
“Bella was the most caring and compassionate little girl,” she said. “Her being was all about heartfelt sincerity. She was always humming and singing her own soulfilled lyrics around the house.”
Last July, the family experienced another tragedy when Bella Rose’s father died by suicide. Melissa said she was proud of her daughter for how she handled the loss.
“Like her father, she had a huge, kind heart that truly enjoyed life,” she said, adding Bella Rose would do anything to help others. “Her soul was true, beautiful and unique. She will always be remembered as the ‘lemonade-stand girl’ in the community, which she ran annually in support of the (Stollery Children’s Hospital).”
Melissa said Bella Rose would often act as a teacher to her fouryear-old sister Lily and loved her bird, Bandito, and her dogs.
In honour of her daughter, Melissa started a Gofundme page with proceeds going toward Zebra Child Protection Centre, Pilgrims Hospice, and the Companion Welfare Animal Society and Meika’s Birdhouse.
Bella Rose’s death marks the seventh homicide in Edmonton this year.
David Moss, a local tattoo artist, is facing second-degree murder charges and appeared in court on Wednesday for a hearing.
This is the first homicide case in the city since March 9, when Kirk Dallas Powder Taylor, 42, was shot dead near 97 Street and 106 Avenue.