Details are emerging on the murder of Otto “Bunty” Loose, a 77-year-old Vulcan man first reported missing on Jan. 9.

RCMP have confirmed  Loose was killed near the intersection of Highway 520 and Range Road 282 just west of Claresholm in the early morning hours of Jan. 9. His body was then dismembered and dumped in a wooded area in Kananaskis, about 2.5 hours northwest of Claresholm.

Police discovered his remains on Saturday, Jan. 14. According to RCMP news releases, Loose was taken from his home 10 kilometres southwest of Vulcan late in the evening on Jan. 8. He was last seen alive at the Petro Canada fuel station in Vulcan.

Loose was transported in his own vehicle to Nanton and Claresholm where “several suspicious” banking transactions were attempted by the accused before Loose was killed. Police believe the murder took place in the early morning hours of Jan. 9. It is believed Loose was targeted by the accused with the goal of robbing him.

RCMP have charged 35-year-old Claresholm resident Timmy Douglas Engel with murder in the first degree and indignity to a human body in relation to the murder. Engel is currently in custody and awaiting trial. His first court appearance was expected to be Monday, Jan. 23 in Lethbridge Provincial Court.

Friends and family of Loose have recently expressed public outrage due to the fact Engel was already awaiting a court appearance and under house arrest at the time he was alleged to have committed the murder.

On Dec. 21, Engel was charged in an unrelated incident with three counts of uttering threats, two counts of assault, two counts of overcome resistance, three counts of kidnapping, and one count of assault with a weapon. RCMP said the charges stemmed from an altercation with a female who was not his current common-law spouse.

He was released with $1,000 recognizance with conditions while awaiting trial. Engel will be appearing in Fort Macleod court on Feb. 1 in relation to these charges.

RCMP have also charged 28-year-old Claresholm resident Bobbi Joe Parks with obstruction of justice related to the crime. Parks is Engel’s common-law spouse. The couple were living in Claresholm at the time of the murder. She is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, Jan. 25 in Fort Macleod.

“She’s not a major player in this whole incident,” said RCMP spokesman Sgt. Patrick Webb. “She’s been charged as appropriate to her involvement.

“In other words, she had fairly minor involvement, but still criminal.”