Cunningham pleads guilty to indignity of body in death of 21-year-old Lac La Biche woman

A Lac La Biche man has pled guilty after admitting to hiding the body of 21-year-old Tytiana Janvier in a closet after she overdosed at his home.

Ali Cunningham, now 31, made the guilty plea at Court of King’s Bench in Edmonton on Monday, Oct. 7.

In March 2022, the community was up in arms about the circumstances of her death suggesting foul play, with multiple vigils being held, and the theme of justice for Missing and Murder Indigenous Women and Girls prevalent as they awaited answers.

The death on March 10, 2022, was deemed non-suspicious by the Lac La Biche RCMP and Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit, as they said Janvier died following a drug overdose.

However, on July 13, 2022, RCMP arrested and charged Ali Wayne Cunningham with Indignity to a body, which includes, “improperly or indecently interfering with, or offers any indignity to a dead human body or human remains, whether buried or not.”

It was revealed in court, that following her death in his home, Cunningham wrapped her body in garbage bags, a duvet, and bedsheets, and hid her body in a wardrobe.

The court date of sentencing is Oct. 28.

The original RCMP press release says the maximum sentence for the charge is five years in prison.

With files from Arthur C. Green.