Southern Alberta county councillor found dead as wife charged with 2nd-degree murder

A 72-year-old councillor in southeastern Alberta has been found dead, RCMP say, and his wife has been charged with second-degree murder.

Alfred Belyea sat on Cypress County council, representing Ward 9 since 2015. Belyea, who lived in Suffield, was reported missing to RCMP earlier this week. He had been last seen Oct. 8.

Mounties found Belyea dead Friday, RCMP said in a news release issued late Saturday afternoon

“I am incredibly shocked and saddened to learn of Alf’s passing. He was a dear friend, we spent countless hours on the golf course,” Cypress County Reeve Dan Hamilton said in a post on the county’s Facebook page.

“Everyone at the county will miss his kind spirit, devotion to his work, and love for the county and the community of Suffield.”

RCMP have arrested Belyea’s wife, 68-year-old Deborah Belyea, in connection to the crime. She is charged with second-degree murder and causing an indignity to a human body, police say.

Deborah Belyea is scheduled to appear in provincial court Monday.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Redcliff RCMP at 403-548-2288 or their local police. People can also submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

Cypress County, which surrounds Medicine Hat, is in the southeastern corner of Alberta.