UPDATE: ALERT spokesperson Mike Tucker confirms that Mark Phillips was out on a $50,000 surety. He has a three week trial set for next May, but that could again change with new charges.
RCMP say that a second Grande Prairie woman is now dead. The victim is 30 year old Jody Topilko, who was reported missing last week.
Police have charged a 28 year old Grande Prairie man with her death, along with the death of 24 year old Amber Dawn Diebert. Police arrested Mark Phillips earlier this week and have charged him with two counts of second degree murder.
Phillips was also arrested in October 2014 after the largest ever fentanyl seizure in Grande Prairie. Almost two kilograms of cocaine and more than 1,800 fentanyl tablets worth nearly a quarter million dollars were found in his home by ALERT officers.
Topilko was last seen in Grande Prairie on November 29 while she was shopping with a family member, and was reported missing on December 8. Police were hoping to find her to speak with her about the death of Diebert, as they knew each other.
Diebert was found dead on December 11 in a rural area west of Clairmont after being reported missing the day before. She had last been seen on December 8th.
Phillips will appear in Grande Prairie court on December 21st.
