A man is facing second-degree murder charges after a guest at the Edmonton Corn Maze was found dead by officers called to a Tuesday night stabbing at the popular rural attraction west of the city.
Officers responding to the 7:02 p.m. report of a stabbing at the corn maze off Highway 627 near Spruce Grove found the adult victim, identified Wednesday evening as 53-year-old Joseph Farnsworth, dead, said RCMP.
A suspect known to the victim remained at the scene, about 29 km west of Edmonton, and was taken into custody, police said.
The Alberta RCMP major crimes unit is now investigating the homicide.
Edmonton Corn Maze owner Jesse Kraay told Postmedia they were notified around 7 p.m. that something had happened, and staff immediately called 911 and rushed to clear guests out of the maze.
“All we know is that the two men were part of a group that came to visit. We have no idea what started it,” said Kraay.
“We wanted to get our guests cleared out as quickly as we could so that the RCMP could start their investigation. The whole situation was quite scary, but we handled it as best we could.”
The corn maze is a summer and fall attraction on Maskekosihk Trail, just west of Edmonton, where visitors can spend hours walking kilometres of trails.
“We’re a place where families come to have a good time, you never want to see something like this happen. We feel for the victim and his family. They’re in our thoughts. It’s so sad,” said Kraay.
The Edmonton Corn Maze website on Wednesday said it will remain closed for the day. Guests who have tickets can send an email to [email protected] for refunds.
Kraay said they are co-operating with RCMP throughout the investigation and will re-open the corn maze as soon as they can.
“We will be taking a few days to figure things out, but we hope to be back open by the weekend,” said Kraay.
Investigators are asking anyone who was at the corn maze on Aug. 27 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to contact Parkland RCMP at 825-220-7267.
“When you’re going about your business and you’re at a family event, this is something you never want to see. A vicious assault like this can be very traumatizing,” RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said Wednesday morning.
Michael George Ferzli, 41, is charged with second-degree murder, and is scheduled to appear in Stony Plain court on Sept. 4.
Investigation Ongoing
The Alberta RCMP major crimes unit is leading the investigation into the homicide at the Edmonton Corn Maze. Police are asking anyone who was at the corn maze between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27, to contact Parkland RCMP at 825-220-7267.
Corn Maze Remains Closed
The Edmonton Corn Maze, a popular family attraction, remains closed following the fatal stabbing. The corn maze’s website indicates it will reopen soon, but no specific date has been announced. The statement on the website expressed concern for the victim’s family and friends, as well as staff and guests who were affected by the tragic event.
Community Reaction
Area resident Theresa Zyp told CityNews that she was returning home from picking up her daughter at the airport when she noticed a police presence at the corn maze. While she was unaware of the incident until the next morning, she believes the incident doesn’t make the area any less secure.
“I feel like this neighbourhood is really a safe neighbourhood,” she said. “I think that was just a rare occurrence.”
A Reminder Of Safety
The homicide at the Edmonton Corn Maze serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety and security, even in seemingly safe environments. While it is difficult to predict or prevent such incidents, the tragedy highlights the need for vigilance and awareness in all public spaces.
