Police said Wednesday they have obtained warrants to search the home and vehicles of a former Edmonton woman who was found dead earlier this week in Cary, N.C.

Police tape surrounds the Cary, N.C., home belonging to Brad and Nancy Cooper Tuesday night. (Courtesy WRAL TV, Raleigh, N.C.)

Nancy Cooper, 34, was reported missing Saturday afternoon. Her husband Brad Cooper told police she had gone out for an early morning run.

Her body was discovered Monday night by a man walking his dog in a subdivision under construction.

"The moment we announced that this was a murder, it was important that we secured the home as a possible crime scene," Cary police Chief Pat Bazemore told a news conference Wednesday morning.

"Brad is currently staying with friends and he continues to provide care for the children along with the help of family friends," she said. "Brad continues to be co-operative with us, and we still have not named a suspect or person of interest."

Brad and Nancy Cooper moved to North Carolina eight years ago. They have two young daughters.

Police have also obtained a warrant to obtain a DNA sample from Brad Cooper.

"An investigation is as important for ruling things out as it is for ruling things in," Bazemore said.

"Once again, we still believe this to be an isolated case."

Nancy Cooper was born and raised in Edmonton, went to Ross Sheppard high school and was a regular swimmer at the Royal Glenora club.

Her parents, Garry and Donna Rentz, and siblings Krista and Jeff travelled to North Carolina earlier this week.

Another sibling, Jill Dean, stayed in Edmonton to run the family business.

She wept as she spoke about her sister Tuesday afternoon.

"She just lit up a room, she was that person who everybody loved," Dean said.