A 47-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a woman who went missing in southeast Edmonton last summer.

John Angus Joseph MacArthur is also charged with indignity to a body in the death of his partner, Marika “Mika” Sutton. 

Sutton’s death is being treated as an intimate partner homicide.

Sutton, 29, was last seen in early August 2025 in the Richfield neighbourhood of Mill Woods. She was reported missing on Sept. 25 by family members living out of province.

Within a month, investigators believed Sutton was dead and that her disappearance was criminal in nature, stated the news release. Edmonton homicide detectives took over the case on Oct. 22.

On March 17, investigators travelled to Charlottetown and arrested MacArthur, the news release said. He was brought to Edmonton where he remains in custody.

Police said MacArthur and Sutton were in an intimate relationship. The news release noted that investigators uncovered a history of domestic violence, though there had not been any reports filed to police.  

Sutton’s body has never been recovered. 

Investigators believe Sutton’s remains were disposed of sometime between Aug. 22 and 29 along Highway 2 between Wetaskiwin and Lacombe.

At the time, MacArthur was driving a 2014 black Jeep Patriot with Alberta licence plate CFB 2578.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen the vehicle in an unusual location along Highway 2 during that time to come forward. They are also appealing to landowners, hunters and others who frequent the area to watch for any signs of Sutton’s remains.

Police are expected to provide more information at a news conference on Friday.