‘These eight homicides have had an impact’
Other jurisdictions are assisting Yukon RCMP with an unprecedented number of homicides in the territory.
By Emily Blake on June 30, 2017
Other jurisdictions are assisting Yukon RCMP with an unprecedented number of homicides in the territory.
The territory’s RCMP say they are working at full capacity investigating eight homicides over the last 11 months.
“It’s a significant amount of work and not just for the Major Crimes Unit; these investigations draw on departments from across the territory,” RCMP Supt. Brian Jones told the Star this morning.
This includes scene security, follow-up interviews and forensics.
“There are significant pressures on everyone, notwithstanding the families of the victims who are directly impacted but the families of our officers as well,” Jones added.
British Columbia RCMP and major crimes investigators and Special Tactical Operations from Alberta are also assisting with the multitude of investigations.
Since April, there have been four homicide victims in the territory.
Last year, there was a total of four, while in 2015 there was one. There were three in 2014.
Police became aware of the latest homicide Wednesday evening.
The body of a 25-year-old Whitehorse man was found north of the Old Alaska Highway heading toward Haines Junction. Police have yet to release the man’s name for investigative reasons.
RCMP also continue to investigate the murder of Greg Dawson, 45. His body was found April 6 in a Riverdale home.
And the double-homicide of Wendy Carlick, 51, and Sarah MacIntosh, 53. The two women were found April 19 at MacIntosh’s home in the McIntyre subdivision.
Also under investigation is the October 2016 homicide of Matthew Devellano, 32, in Porter Creek. He was shot outside a residence at Stan McCowan Place and rushed to Whitehorse General Hospital, where he died of his injuries.
There are currently four cases before the Yukon courts where accused persons stand charged with murder.
“It’s a positive development, but it doesn’t mean we’re done with them in any stretch of the imagination,” Jones said of investigations where charges have been laid.
“These eight homicides have had an impact, and there’s lots and lots of work to be done on all of those files.”
Darryl Sheepway, 38, is set to stand trial Nov. 6 for the murder of Christopher Brisson, 25.
Brisson had been reported missing for three days before his body was found near Miles Canyon on Sept. 1, 2015.
In March, Sheepway sought to plead guilty to manslaughter, but the Crown would not accept a plea to a lesser charge.
As well, Tristan Joe, 31, stands accused of the November 2016 murder of Raine Andrew Silas,18, in Pelly Crossing.
And, Alfred Thomas Chief Jr., 31, has been charged with the murder of Olsen Wolftail, 87, at a Watson Lake residence in December 2016.
Finally, Travis Dennis, 22, was charged with second-degree murder and committing an indecent act on a body in the death of Andy Giraudel, 36. Giraudel’s remains were found July 16, 2016 near Watson Lake.
While there has been an unusually high number of homicides in the territory, Jones said, the Yukon is still a safe place to live.
“With all of these investigations, the facts and the circumstances are unique and different,” he said, noting there is no overarching reason.
One case that has been closed is the July 2014 stabbing death of Tanner Sinclair, 37.
In February, Michael MacPherson, 34, pled guilty to manslaughter.
Originally charged with second-degree murder, MacPherson was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Two additional homicides remain unsolved.
In May 2014, Allan Waugh, 69, was found dead in his home in the McIntyre subdivision.
And in 2007, the remains of Angel Carlick, 19, the daughter of Wendy Carlick, were found in a forested area near the Pilot Mountain subdivision just north of Whitehorse.
Comments (9)
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drum on Jul 7, 2017 at 10:36 am
Of course it has an impact especially when none of them seem to be getting solved and no one charged. The rest of the population who have lived here for many years, are very nervous and have every reason to be.
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Mike on Jul 4, 2017 at 10:43 am
Welcome to the murder capital of Canada.
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Matt Newhart on Jul 3, 2017 at 8:01 pm
This city has gone downhill far too quickly.
I do not blame anyone in particular but it seems like there are far too many murders and serious crime and way too much petty crime.
My friends around town say they are woken up at night by ATVs and snow machines. Recreational play at its finest.
It seems as if it's best to head to the change jar before walking downtown so you can donate to poor people asking for change. Many give you the most heartwarming thank you which reinforces how desperate their situation is. I wish the city and Yukon government would do more for them.
If the RCMP wants to tackle the crime issues can they please put more effort into impaired driving. I see too much weaving around which suggests impairment continues to be a major concern.
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Arrest has been made on Jul 3, 2017 at 4:33 pm
RCMP announced an arrest yesterday, and released the victim's name.
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mlb on Jul 3, 2017 at 2:28 am
Do something about it. This city is going to s**t.
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Groucho d'North on Jul 2, 2017 at 11:39 am
I am wondering if perhaps the most recent “victim” is in fact a person responsible for at least one of the previous murders. I am sure the level of frustration with our lame-duck legal system has stimulated thoughts of vigilante actions for those who do know critical information of the guilty parties and their crimes, but will not share that information because they have little or no faith in a legal system that has become neutered by political correctness and alternative social justice goals.
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MJ on Jul 1, 2017 at 4:55 pm
You assume that merely more people working on a case is the sole factor in solving them. Or that the ones who are don't care.
If they had a thousand officers working one case....would they find more information? Are people not coming forward because there aren't enough people working the cases yet?
If no one seen anything, if no key evidence can be found, if no one confesses, if there isn't enough evidence to make a charge stick, if no key witnesses can be found, if people tell ten versions of their story, lie and mislead the police, if someone says they didn't see anything when they actually did, if there are no video tapes, if there isn't anything that 20 police officers can find....having 1000 isn't going to change the facts or make a difference.
If only it were so easy as putting more people on the case....some people really seem to live in a idealistic society...but few operate in the real world where evidence cannot be fabricated or found in the wind...witnesses cannot be forced to talk (I hear that is frowned upon) or come forward.
Unfortunately...two people know who committed each tragic event.
One cannot speak for themselves and the other has a vested interest in not speaking about it.
Think you can do better and are Columbo, Horacio Cane, Gill Grissom, Kojak, or Sherlock Holmes? RCMP's recruiting site isn't difficult to find (even without 1000 detectives).
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These murders need to be solved on Jul 1, 2017 at 9:28 am
All murders need to be solved. Wondering why the First Nations murders are so hard to solve. For Angel Carlick to be murdered (unsolved) and then her mother murdered (unsolved) in a 10 year span is a travesty. Allen Waugh....his family is grieving and waiting for justice..... More investigators need to be put on these cases and they need to be SOLVED. We haven't even heard about Matthew Devellano's murder case since he was murdered....just like the RCMP wants to put its head in the sand, because they are not being forthright with the public. You had a van identified, people at a party and you're telling me that the RCMP still has no idea or can press no charges? We, the public, want some answers. I commend the News for writing about all of these murders and keep pressing it--we want to know what's being done and who is at risk for these murders to strike again.
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Josey Wales on Jul 1, 2017 at 1:01 am
Wow...just freaking wow! Gotta say feels like I am in Winnipeg or Regina these days. The freepour season just started, wonder what it'll be like by freeze up...the body count that is?
Eight homicides have had an impact...says captain obvious.
Really?.....effin wow.