New charges expected for man accused in Tia Blood case

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on January 13, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 20-year-old man charged in relation to the discovery of a woman’s body late last year is expected to face new criminal charges when he returns to court next month.

The matter for Hunter Alexander Frank was in Lethbridge provincial court Thursday, where defence was expected to either have a bail hearing or possibly resolve his case.

The accused, who is charged with offering an indignity to human remains and two counts of theft under $5,000, was set to have a bail hearing last month and present his grandmother as surety for his release, but the bail application was abandoned after it appeared the charges could be resolved.

The matter was adjourned again Thursday, however, after defence said additional charges, along with additional disclosure, are expected. Neither defence nor the Crown indicated whether the new charges relate to the discovery of the woman’s body.

Frank, who is in custody at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre and was not required to attend court Thursday, was charged after the body of 34-year-old Tia Blood was found Oct. 24, 2022 in the County of Lethbridge.

Blood, 34, went missing Oct. 19, 2022 and her body was found five days later southwest of Coalhurst. Police said the cause of death was undetermined.

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