Woman Found Guilty in Edmonton-Area Homicide
An Alberta woman has been convicted of second-degree murder in the death of a man whose remains were discovered in an abandoned home south of Edmonton.
Tyler Johnson, 26, was reported missing in January 2021. His body, bearing signs of meaningful injury and burns, was found over a month later on March 8, 2021, in Maskwacis, Alberta. Investigators determined his death to be a homicide.
Brianna Ruf-Deitz, 35, was found guilty by Justice James Neilson on Wednesday, more than four years after Johnson’s disappearance. The verdict followed a trial that experienced a pause when Ruf-Deitz’s initial legal counsel was removed mid-proceedings.The court heard that Ruf-Deitz led undercover officers to the location of Johnson’s remains in Maskwacis on March 6, 2021, following a search by the RCMP. evidence presented indicated Ruf-Deitz and Johnson knew each other, as Johnson frequently provided transportation for her between Edmonton and Maskwacis, where she sold drugs.
Undercover officers, posing as individuals involved in criminal activity, approached Ruf-Deitz in Red Deer, inquiring about Johnson’s whereabouts and alleging he owed money. Ruf-Deitz reportedly confessed to shooting Johnson.For $2,000, she guided the officers to the abandoned home where Johnson’s body was located, claiming she acted in response to Johnson “snooping” in her hotel room and documenting details about her criminal activities and firearms.
According to her confession, Ruf-Deitz shot johnson in the face with a sawed-off shotgun, left him at the scene, and subsequently returned multiple times to attempt to burn the body. She also informed the officers that Johnson’s left arm was missing, attributing the loss to local wildlife – a detail confirmed when the body was recovered, missing below the elbow.
During her testimony, Ruf-Deitz recanted her confession, alleging that other individuals had severely beaten Johnson following a heated argument. She claimed she was then forced by these men to transport Johnson to the abandoned home in Maskwacis, fearing for her own safety if she refused. Ruf-Deitz testified that another man shot Johnson and ignited the fire.
However, Justice Neilson determined Ruf-Deitz’s initial confession to undercover officers was credible, noting she spoke freely and without coercion. He cited the detailed nature of the confession, its role in leading investigators to additional evidence, and the inclusion of information about the crime not publicly known as key indicators of its reliability.
Second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence. A subsequent hearing will be held to determine the period of time Ruf-Deitz must wait before becoming eligible for parole.
