Mom charged with murdering daughter, 21

Victim just graduated at top of nursing class

EDMONTON • Police have charged an Edmonton mother with second-degree murder in the death of her 21-year-old daughter, described as a promising nurse about to start her first job.

Police and EMS responded to a call at 4:30 p.m. Friday at a northwest residence where a woman required medical attention. She died soon after their arrival.

Christine Longridge, 50, who is charged in the death, is also charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

Rachael Longridge is being remembered as a promising nurse, slated to start work at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute.

“Through the investigation, we learned Rachael just graduated at the top of her nursing class and was about to start a new position at a local hospital,” said Staff Sgt. Bill Clark in a news release. “This is a disheartening crime.”

The Nursing Undergraduate Association at University of Alberta said Longridge was a talented, hard-working student with a big heart.

“Anyone who knows Rachael knows it is hard not to smile when you are around such an energetic and inspirational soul like hers,” the association posted on Facebook.

Friends also took to social media to remember Rachael Longridge, who was known for her drive and compassion.

“My heart is so so broken. Last night we lost an amazing girl way too early,” wrote friend Katrina Gagnon on Facebook, who said she met Longridge in Grade 8. “You were such a strong individual and someone who had been through so many hardships and went through them with a smile on your face. You were someone we all looked up to and we are all so proud of.

“Just know Rachael is up there with her daddy and she’s looking over all of you.”

Her father Erin Longridge died in December 2015 after battling cancer.

The Canadian Nursing Students’ Association said Rachael Longridge had graduated in December before being promptly hired to start work in the new year.

“Our profession lost a golden nurse,” the association posted on Facebook. “Today we mourn the loss of a future colleague that we all would have been lucky to work alongside.”

Police, who haven’t released the cause of death, spoke to witnesses who were in the house on 122 Avenue and 132 Street on Friday.

An autopsy is scheduled for Dec. 29.

This is the 41st homicide in Edmonton this year.

MY HEART IS SO SO BROKEN. LAST NIGHT WE LOST AN AMAZING GIRL WAY TOO EARLY. — KATRINA GAGNON

JURIS GRANEY / POSTMEDIA NEWS Police continue to investigate after Rachael Longridge was found dead on Friday.