The Disappearance
Marika Sutton, 29, was last seen in early August 2025 in the Richfield neighbourhood in Mill Woods, southeast Edmonton. Known to friends as "Mika," she wasn't reported missing until Sept. 25 nearly two months later when her out-of-province family contacted Edmonton police.
Police began investigating immediately. By late October, investigators had concluded her disappearance was criminal in nature and that she was deceased. The EPS Homicide Section took over the case on Oct. 22, 2025.
The Arrest
On March 17, 2026, Edmonton homicide detectives travelled to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and arrested John Angus Joseph MacArthur, 47. He was charged with second-degree murder and indignity to a body.
MacArthur was transported back to Edmonton on March 20 and has been remanded in custody since.
MacArthur and Sutton were in an intimate partner relationship. No domestic violence had ever been formally reported to police, but investigators uncovered a history of abuse during the investigation. EPS is classifying Marika's death as an intimate partner homicide.
The Search
Her remains have not been found.
Police believe MacArthur disposed of Marika's body somewhere along Highway 2 between Wetaskiwin and Lacombe between Aug. 22–29, 2025. At the time he was driving a 2014 black Jeep Patriot with Alberta licence plate CFB 2578.
"We are hopeful that someone travelling on Highway 2 between Wetaskiwin and Lacombe between Aug. 22 and Aug. 29 may recall seeing MacArthur's Jeep in a strange or unusual location," said Det. Braydon Lawrence of the EPS Homicide Section. "If so, we encourage them to contact us immediately."
Police are also asking landowners, hunters, and anyone who spends time in that part of central Alberta to be on the lookout for Marika's remains.
Why Police Waited to Go Public
EPS acknowledged they held back news of Marika's death longer than their standard process would normally allow. The reason was straightforward: they didn't want to tip off the suspect before making the arrest.
"To protect the integrity of the investigation and secure the arrest of the accused, we deliberately chose to deviate from our normal process of immediately notifying the public of Marika's death," said Det. Lawrence.
EPS also thanked the Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement (EDGE) Team, Calgary Police Service, and Charlottetown Police Service for their assistance with the investigation.
If You Have Information
Anyone with information about Marika Sutton's disappearance or death is asked to contact EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at p3tips.com.
All charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.
Source: Edmonton Police Service Media Release, March 27, 2026 edmontonpolice.ca
