MISSING / MURDERED CASES IN BC - CONTINUED
MISSING
Patricia Ann Quinn
• Patricia was last seen wearing a long dark purple skirt with a flower pattern, a blue fleece zip up coat, brown slip on sandals, white socks, and metallic red framed prescription glasses. Patricia may be carrying a small blue or black colored Bible.
Patricia is described as an Aboriginal female, 5 ft 2 inches tall, approximately 150 lbs. has long dark black hair to her lower back, and wears glasses.
The RCMP and Patricia's family and friends are concerned for well-being and are asking anyone who may have any iinformation that may assist the police in locating Patricia to please call Lytton RCMP at (250)455-2225 or 911.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Shana Lee Labatte
On March 23rd, 2004 at 10:45 a.m. a couple walking in Mission Flats Park area discovered the partially clothed body of 30 yr old Shana Lle Labatte. Shana was murdered and her body left in the Mission Flats area. It is believed she was slain elsewhere and her body dumped by the suspect at the Mission Flats location.
Shana was a known sex-trade worker, but she was also the mother of two children and according to friends, she was very well liked. Shana was last seen Tuesday, March 23rd, between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. at the corner of Seymour and Sixth near the 7-11 Store. At this time, she was getting into a brown four-door Ford SUV. She was wearing a yellow bomber style jacket with black stripes on the sleeves and collar, black track pants with two white stripes on the outside leg, a black knit, low-cut halter top, a black handbag with shoulder strap and black Adidas running shoes. She had dyed shoulder length blond hair. Considering she was found at 10:45 a.m. she fell victim to this suspect in the preceding five hours. RCMP need your help in solving this crime. If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers!
UNSOLVED
MISSING
Michela Marie Cardinal
Michela is approximately 5'7" tall and weighs 140 lbs. She has brown hair and brown eyes and a small mole on her left cheek near her mouth. It is unknown what she was wearing.
Michela has a history of running away from home for very short periods of time and may be hiding out with friehnds in the Prince George area.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts or the safety of CARDINAL is asked to contact the Prince George RCMPolice at 561-3300 or Crime Stoppers at 564-TIPS (8477).
UNSOLVED
MISSING
Alicia Courtoreille-Brignall
Alicia, a First Nations girl, was last seen wearing blue jeans, running shoes, a dark hoodie with red trim.
Alicia is 5'5", and 111 lbs. She has brown eyes and black shoulder length hair.
She is known to frequent the downtown area of Prince George. Anyone with information on her wherabouts is asked to contact the Prince George detachment at 561-3300.
UNSOLVED
Mary Smith
Mary is described as Aboriginal - 5`, 110 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Vancouver Police Services.
Incident Number: 04-266103
UNSOLVED
MISSING
Coral Baird
CORAL BAIRD, aged 15 was last seen by her family on the evening of July 2, 2006. They say it's out of character for the teen not to contact them for this length of time. Coral is from Tsawwassen First Nation in BC (Surrey area).
The 15-year-old is believed to be with a 27-year-old man, also from the reserve.
Baird is five feet two inches tall, weighs 100 pounds, and has black hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a short-sleeve T-shirt and brown velvet pants.
The RCMP say Baird and the man may be travelling in a black 1993 GMC Jimmy SUV.
Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Raven Pantherbone-Hunt
Raven's birth mother gave her up as a young child and she had lived in foster care for much of her life. But she'd been adopted by a pillar of the local native community, her foster mother Glenna Hunt, who brought her up going to church at Vancouver Native Pentecostal every Sunday.
She was part of a tight community of natives linked to Bella Bella who all know each other. She'd even spent her Grade 8 year there, part of the back-and-forth that's common for many native families. The schools she went to, Britannia elementary and secondary, and the community centre they're integrated with, are legendary for their programs in nurturing native kids.
Raven had loved basketball and track and field. She could run like the wind, her friends remembered. She even talked about wanting to be in the Olympics.
Raven's Girl Guide leader from elementary school, Frances Tan, had promised her a computer if she would hang in and graduate from high school. Raven had been accepted in the fall into one of Britannia's special alternative programs for academically talented students who are strong in the arts. "Raven's test scores were high. Academically, she could definitely handle anything," recalled one of her teachers, Mary-Jo Campbell.
On Friday, a day when the three teachers have a group session with the 22 students in the special 8J9J program, they'd shown them the movie Through a Blue Lens, the dark, police-made film about the horrors of life there. One teacher even cried, saying he hoped none of them ended up down there. But Raven wasn't there to see that film or hear that talk. Two months earlier, at the end of January, she'd left the program and left school, drifted away from her friends and started hanging out with some older kids. She didn't come home Thursday night.
Danielle Robertson, her best friend since kindergarten, saw her that afternoon. Raven had missed her bus, so they hung around on the corner of Broadway and Commercial, talking. "I never thought that was the last time I would see her," said Danielle, a gifted math student who had begged her teachers to test Raven last fall to get into the 8J9J program she was in.
Friday, Glenna Hunt started calling around to find out where she was.
Police have described Raven's death as a runaway who partied.
Saturday, police were called to the Downtown Eastside hotel, which hasn't been identified yet, when her body was found in a room there. For Danielle and Keesha Dawson and Angela George and Maria Joseph and so many of the girls who knew Raven, that description of their childhood friend and the news of her death was utterly shocking.
Anyone with information about Raven's death is asked to contact Vancouver Police Services.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Monica Jack
Police had a suspect in Monica's murder - which was similar to two other cold case murders, and combined with the suspect's criminal record - which included multiple rape convictinos - left police thinking they ahd the right guy, but were unable to prove anything.
The suspect, in his 50s, was left to walk free and was last reported to be living in Ontario.
Monica's name has been added to the Highway of Tears murders.
UNSOLVED
MISSING
Jessie Foster
JESSIE EDITH LOUISE FOSTER, aged 21 from Kamloops BC disappeared on or after March 28, 2006.
Jessie’s maternal grandmother, is aboriginal from the Lillooet, BC area.
Jessie is described as Hair Color: Blonde Eye Color: Hazel Height: 5’6” – 5’7” Weight: 110-120 lbs
After visiting Las Vegas, Jessie told her mother she loved it there and was going to move there. She met and became involved in a relationship with a man named Peter Todd, a convicted abuser. Todd lived in an expensive condo, although he had no income. He is known to Las Vegas police as a pimp. When questioned, Todd said, “She was a hooker when I met her”.
Shortly before she disappeared, Jessie was hospitalized as a result of abuse on her by Peter Todd.
She last had contact with her family on March 28th, 2006 when she spoke with her sister on the phone.
Todd claims he has not seen Jessie since April 3rd, 2006.
Las Vegas police state they investigated and found no signs of foul play at Todd’s home.
Jessie has not accessed her bank account since March 28th, 2006.
Jessie’s family believes she is a victim of human trafficking but police records show that she was convicted of prostitution in 2005 and faced four more prostitution-related charges in September 2006, raising questions of if she was indeed victimized by human trafficking why she didnt alert police to this during the times she was under arrest.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Amanda Jean Simpson
Her death caused an uproar when it was revealed in April, 2002, by former provincial child protection director Ross Dawson that the government received 22 child-protection complaints about Amanda and her family between 1991 and 1999.
Only three were investigated to a reasonably competent standard.
The final complaint, from Amanda's school, came several days before she died.
In all there were about the 22 complaints of abuse or neglect made to authorities before the little girl died.
At the time Amanda was injured, her mother's common-law husband was the only adult at home. A man was charged with aggravated assault but the Crown later stayed the charge.
A judge awarded custody of Simpson's three sisters to the Children and Families Ministry.
Amanda Simpson's stepfather told officials the little girl was injured in accidental falls while he was taking care of her. But three medical experts have testified at the inquest in Prince George this week that Amanda's injuries don't match his version of events.
< Dr. Margaret Colbourne of B.C. Children's Hospital, who examined the girl before she died, told the hearing on Tuesday that Amanda's head injuries were similar to those that would be suffered in a fall from a three-storey building. She said Amanda's bowels and stomach were perforated. As well, she had bruises all over her body, there was unusual swelling and the girl was in shock and comatose. In response to questions from jurors, the doctor said: "This wasn't an accident. She was beaten to death." In the doctor's opinion, Amanda had been "battered, shaken, struck, punched, kicked, stomped, and perhaps thrown." A forensic pathologist testified that Amanda's injuries suggest she may have been "slammed against a wall" or hit across the head with a board. Dr. Glen Taylor said the girl had blunt force trauma to her abdomen and a complex fracture of the skull, along with numerous other injuries.
mother and stepfather had testified that no one intentionally harmed her. In 1999, the little girl's stepfather, Ronald Rory Polson, told doctors at the Prince George hospital he thought the child fell out of a bunk bed or had been pushed by her little sister. But later Polson testified that Amanda had come up for a good-night kiss from him, and that he believed she then fell down the stairs. He said he didn't hear any cries, screams or calls for help.
He said Amanda's then eight-year-old sister dragged her up the stairs and said Amanda had been hurt on the stairs. He told the jury he saw a lump on her head, and she wasn't conscious. He told the inquest he got some frozen vegetables for her head, and put her on his bed, where she vomited. Polson testified he thought she might have a head injury and shouldn't be allowed to sleep, so he took her to the bathroom to clean her up and revive her with cold water. He said he was carrying her when he slipped on the bathmat and they both fell against the bathtub.
He then called Amanda's mother, Jerry Walton, who testified she rushed home from work to find her daughter unconscious on the floor. Walton testified she only saw a lump on the child's head and that she didn't think the injuries were intentionally inflicted. Amanda died at B.C. Children's Hospital in Vancouver three days later.
Pediatrician Dr. Marie Hay testified Monday that Polson's explanations didn't fit the injuries suffered by the child, and went on to detail the extent of those injuries for the coroner's jury, which included: Severe head injury with a fractured skull, bleeding in and outside the brain, extreme brain swelling indicating blunt force trauma, suggesting great force and velocity. A broken collarbone. Severe abdominal injuries from blunt force trauma, which was life threatening. Multiple bruising on her elbows and body.
Retinal hemorrhaging. Severe hypothermia.
She said the hypothermia was similar to that of a drowning victim submerged in ice water for 20 minutes, and that the head injuries and hypothermia reminded her of a case in which a child without a seat belt was in a car crash and was catapulted 10 metres out of the car into a snowbank. Hay also noted there were biochemical abnormalities in the girl's blood that suggested the head injury had occurred some hours before.
A statement from Amanda's sister, who was just eight years old at the time, described her mother and stepfather bathing blood off Amanda before taking her to hospital. Val Huber, a nurse who had tried to save Simpson, ended her inquest testimony in tears, calling this the "most disturbing case" in her career.
Following the girl's death, a judge awarded custody of Simpson's three sisters to the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Polson is still together with Amanda's mother, and they have had two more children together.
B.C.'s assistant deputy chief coroner, Jeff Dolan, told CBC News that the inquest was not held earlier because of concerns it could compromise the investigations being carried out by other agencies, including the RCMP. Dolan said the Crown made a decision in 2004 that charges would not be approved, even though the police investigation was continuing, and that in 2005, the coroner's office decided the case should go to inquest.
MISSING
Jackie Myerion
She is described as a First Nations female with long brown hair and brown eyes. She is 5'9", 185 lbs , has a pierced eyebrow and tongue and a tattoo of a pair of eyes on her lower back . She was last seen wearing blue jeans, pink and white layered tank tops and a black jacket with silver dots that may have the logo TNA on it.
She is believed to be using public transportation. If you have seen Jackie or have information about her whereabouts please contact the Coquitlam RCMP at (604)945-1550.
UNSOLVED.
Jean Virginia Sampare
No further details.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Cindy Burk
CINDY BURK aka TINA WASHPAN, aged 21, of Dawson Creek, BC was located near Kiskatinaw Provincial Parkon July 24, 1990.
Cindy Burk had been raised primarily in Regina, Saskatchewan and she later moved to Carmacks, Yukon Territory.
Cindy was new to Northern B.C in the summer of 1990. She was last seen around mid-July in Prophet River, north of Fort St. John and at that time was thought to be heading to Saskatchewan. At the time of the discovery of Cindy’s body an extensive search of the area was conducted, numerous people were interviewed and forensics were gathered and analysed.
A a 60 year old male was arrested on Thursday November 16, 2006 and charged with one count of 2nd degree homicide in connection with death of 21-year-old Cindy Agnus Burk. Paul Russell Deleno FELKER was arrested in Fort St. John on November 16, 2006 without incident .
He is awaiting trial.
MURDERED
Monica Ignas
Her partially nude body was found in a gravel pit on April 6, 1975, about six kilometres from Terrace. She had been strangled.
One area resident, Janet Hultkrans, recalls that Ignas used to hitchhike from Terrace to her home just past Thornhill, on the outskirts of town.
"Maybe she was the first to disappear," she says. "She wasn't much older than my kids and I had picked her up once and driven her to school, so she is forever in my memory. She was a nice girl and doesn't deserve to be forgotten."
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Gloria Moody
GLORIA MOODY was found murdered in Williams Lake, BC in 1969.
She is one of the Highway of Tears victims.
No further information is available.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Micheline Pare
MICHELINE PARE was found murdered in Kamloops, BC in 1970.
She is one of the Highway of Tears victims.
No further information is available.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Maureen Mosie
MAUREEN MOSIE was found murdered in Kamloops, BC in 1981.
She is one of the Highway of Tears victims.
No further information is available.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Donna Marie Taylor
DONNA MARIE TAYLOR, aged 36 of Dawson Creek, BC, was found murdered along with a male friend of hers on February 7th, 2007.
Donna was an Aboriginal woman, born in Red Lake, Ontario, but her first home was St. Theresa Point First Nation. She lived most of her life in Winnipeg, but for the last few years, was living in Dawson Creek to be close to three of her children. She was found murdered in the Silverado Hotel in Dawson Creek, along with a male friend. It is assumed that she died on February 3 2007 but the bodies were not found until February 7th.. She was 36 years old when she died and did not live to see her 37th birthday which was February 10.
Donna loved to read and was very smart - she could tell you more about international events than most people. She was witty, kind, and generous. She was fiercely loyal to her friends and family, She believed she was strong and could take of herself, even in tough situations.
Donna cared deeply about her children and her family . She dreamed of overcoming her substance abuse, getting a regular job and taking care of her children but was never able to overcome the abuse in her childhood and used alcohol to drown her sorrow.
She will be greatly missed by her twin sister, her birth mother, her adopted mother, her grandmother, her children, her brothers and sisters and her many friends.
Police say autopsies have confirmed the deaths as homicides, but no further details are being made public.
Corporal Darren Traichevich says the pair was last seen alive in Dawson Creek on Saturday, February 3rd and police are asking anyone with information pertaining the victims’ activities around, or prior, to that date to contact the detachment. Traichevich says the "E" Division Major Crime Unit, along with the Forensic Identification Section are working with the Dawson Creek Detachment to further this investigation.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Teressa Williams
UPDATE
Sadly on Jan. 29, 2004 it was reported by the Missing Women's Taskforce that Taressa's DNA matched that of remains found in 1990 in Vancouver. UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Dawn Crey
DAWN CREY , aged 43,drug addicted. Former sex trade worker. Disappeared in November, 2000 from downtown eastside Vancouver.
Dawn comes from a large family of Traditionalists. Her brother Ernie Crey, is a respected leader in their community, and has been extremely active in the ongoing investigation at the Pickton farm, and was the first Native leader to speak out about the missing women in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
Dawn's DNA was identified at the Pickton Farm on Jan. 15. 2004.
Dawn's younger sister, Lorraine Crey, now the manager of an east-side native housing co-op, who was close to Dawn and was in tears yesterday recalling her beloved sister, who disappeared at age 43.
"Dawn was a very beautiful, vibrant young woman, really brave and strong, but she was haunted by the fact that our father died with his head in her lap when she was only five; and then our family just blew apart," said Lorraine.
The Crey children were split up into abusive and uncaring foster homes, although Dawn finally found a good home with Jake and Marie Wiebe of Chilliwack, who later adopted Dawn's son, John, born when she was just 16.
Rebellious as a teen, Dawn stayed close to Lorraine and followed her sister to Vancouver after Lorraine enrolled in a professional-development course. Dawn, still troubled, drifted into drug abuse on the Downtown Eastside.
"Dawn and I were planning her 43rd birthday on Oct. 26 and then she was gone," said Lorraine. "I searched everywhere for her."
Dawn's last address was the Roosevelt Hotel. Her postal code was the poorest in Canada.
"I sit on my balcony every night and talk to her, and last week I said, 'Dawn, you've got to surface. You've got to show yourself. I'm exhausted and I can't take this anymore,'" said Lorraine.
"Then I get this news.
"It will never leave my mind how she died, but I have good memories of Dawn, how caring and forgiving she was, how she always said she'd kill the person who ever sold me drugs. She loved her son John and I know she loved me. I'll always miss her."
UPDATE
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Tami Dean Tracey
The pathologist said that Ms. Tracy's body was covered with cuts, lacerations and bruises. Many of the injuries were consistent with strangulation by means of a ligature and by beating with the leg of a chair.
Keith David Robert confessed and did a video taped re-enactment of the crime.
He was charged with first degree murder his conviction
To read his trial report and his appeal report, click Here and Here.
MURDERED
Georgina Papin
GEORGINA PAPIN , drug addicted and worked as an Outreach worker and in the sex trade. Disappeared in 1999 from downtown eastside Vancouver.
Georgina's family and friends were surprised to find her name on the list of downtown eastside missing women. She is described as a young woman who treasured her native heritage, made regalia for pow wows, and enjoyed dancing.
Evelyn Youngchief remembers her friend Georgina Papin as a joyful and proud mother who loved to make bannock. "She used to stay at my house all the time," Youngchief said after a memorial service for Georgina, "She was so talented -- a great writer and artist. I was one of the last ones to see her." Youngchief says Georgina was enthusiastic about her native culture, making traditional costumes for dancing exhibitions and doing native art.
She would take a break from her life on the streets to stay with Youngchief and play board games with Youngchief's young son.
"She also really loved to cook. She would always say, 'Get out the flour, we are going to make bannock,'" said Youngchief, who wore red to Georgina's memorial because it was her friend's favourite colour.
Papin's aunt Marie Mercredi said she held out hope her niece was still alive right up until the police called the family. "I figured she was just in the United States," Mercredi said after the memorial service. "Nobody wants to imagine her dead. After all, she was a part of us."
Ina Roelants met Papin several years ago when Roelants was volunteering with prisoners at a women's prison in B.C. "Of all the names on that long, terrible list, hers surprised me the most," Roelants said. "I would have never expected her to get into a situation like that," she said. Gladys Evoy met Papin at a Burnaby jail several years ago. "I was really scared when I went there, but she came to talk to me," Evoy recalled. "She made me feel safe."
Georgina's DNA was identified as found on the Pickton Farm, and Robert Pickton cpnvicted with Georgina's murder.
He was sentenced to twnty five years without parole.
MURDERED
Brenda Wolfe
BRENDA WOLFE , drug addicted and worked in the sex trade. Disappeared in 1999 from downtown eastside Vancouver.
Brenda's DNA has been identified as found on the Pickton Farm. Robert (Willy) Pickton has been convicted with Brenda's murder.
He will serve twenty five years without parole.
< MURDERED
Jennifer Furminger
JENNIFER FURMINGER , aged 28, drug addicted and worked in the sex trade. Disappeared in 1999 from downtown eastside Vancouver.
The last time , her boyfriend, Noel Paris saw Jennie Furminger, she was standing near the corner of Cordova and Dunlevy on a cold night two days after Christmas.
Jennifer has been remembered by friends on the street as a warm woman. She rarely shared the stories of her unhappy childhood, of the family she left behind.
She was very feminine and playful and she was very, very mellow. Jennie’s idea of a good time was to sit cross-legged on the couch and read a book.
She will always be remembered as the girl who literally gave birth to her son on the corner.
UPDATE
Jennifer's DNA has been identified as being found on the Pickton farm. Robert (Willy)Pickton has been charged with her murder.
MISSING
Rebecca Guno
REBECCA GUNO , drug addicted and worked in the sex trade. Rebecca was last seen June 22, 1983 in downtown eastside Vancouver, working. UNSOLVED
MISSING
Maria Laliberte
MARIA LORNA LALIBERTE aka KIM KELLER ,aged 52, born November 7th, 1949. She was last seen on January 1st, 1997 and reported missing to Vancouver police on March 8th, 2002. Ms. Laliberte is described as being 5 feet 6 inches tall, has brown hair, brown eyes and is Native Indian. She had pain in legs, (Knees).
She may have attended Simon Fraser University in March, 1995.
ALIASES INCLUDE: Maria LAURA Laliberte, Maria Laura, Maria Lorna, Kim Keller, Rose Mallette.
Her birthdate has also been published as July 11, 1948.
Anyone with information please contact Egerton Gibson or The Missing Women's Joint Task Force.
UNSOLVED
MISSING
Ruby Hardy
RUBY ANNE HARDY , Ruby Anne HARDY, age 37, born on March 23, 1965. Ms. Hardy was last seen in 1998 and was reported missing to Vancouver police yesterday, March 27th, 2002. She is described as being 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing 131 pounds, having brown hair and eyes. Ruby is a member of the Lake Helen First Nations/ Red Rock Band, Nipigon, ON. She often uses the name 'Ruby GALLOWAY'.
UNSOLVED
MISSING
Michelle Remi
last seen wearing dark blue jeans, light blue sweater and shirt with white runners. Michelle is described as 180 cm (5' 11"), 61 kg (135 lbs), long brown hair with blond streaks. Michelle’s parents describe her as having a caucasian appearance. Michelle is believed to frequent Cloverdale, Surrey Place Mall and Guildford Town Centre.
Michelle has run away from home before, but it is not known if Michelle ran away again or if she is ok.
Anyone with information contact the Cst. Christian Bichler at 604-599-7777 mailbox 3402 , or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers at 604 669-TIPS.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Mona Wilson
MONA WILSON , aged , was drug addicted and worked in the sex trade in downtown eastside Vancouver. Mona disappeared November 23, 2001.
On that night as Mona and her common law husband left the Astoria Hotel on East Hastings Street, they were accosted by two men who drove up flashing fifty dollar bills and beer at her. Her husband, who often "spotted" for Mona, didn't have a good feeling about these guys, and tried to stop Mona from getting into the car, but one of the guys jumped out and came after him with a stick. Mona jumped in the car, they honked the horn and took off.
UPDATE
Robert ( Willie ) Pickton, of Port Coquitlin, BC was charged with her murder on Feb. 22, 2002. He was subequently convicted of second degree murder in Mona's death. He will serve twenty five yaers without parole.
MURDERED
Cheryl Ann Joe
CHERYL ANN JOE, brutally mutilated and murdered Jan.20, 1992. A CP Rail officer copied down the licence number of a suspicious van near a Vancouver loading dock where the mutilated body of Cheryl Joe was later discovered. The licence plate led homicide detectives to Brian William Allender, who was later convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Cheryl's body was found near a loading bay of a warehouse located on Salisbury Drive near Powell Street in the City of Vancouver. The body was in a mutilated state. The skull being crushed and the body having numerous bruises and contusions; both breasts and much of the vaginal tissue were removed.
Search of the immediate area did not find the missing body parts or the implement used to remove them. No other clues relative to the carrying out of the crime or tending to identify the killer were found in the immediate area.
A little later in the day as the result of information from a citizen, vaginal tissue was found on the streets some five or six blocks away from where the body was found.
Cheryl was described by her "adopted mother" as "...a super person who cared about others. She would always put her own problems on the back burner to make you forget yours. She'd always find a way to make you laugh, but underneath that smile was a sad and very unhappy woman. When alone, she'd cry like a little girl. She was a mom, a fine mother who loved her babies unconditionally - and when she loved it was with every fibre of her being. She'd often say to me, "Mom, we're not here for a long time, but to have a good time. So let's party!" It was as though every day were her last. She wanted to go back to school and become a cop. She wanted so badly to prove, not only to herself, worthy of being someone, but to let those who knew her see that she was quite capable of achieving a profession and being successful in reaching that goal in life. She often had very low esteem about herself, feeling that she wasn't good enough and degraded when people called her cruel names about her obesity. I would tell her, "Cheryl, you're not here to live up to anyone's expectations but your own."How easy it is for each and every one of us to point a finger at her. But as we are doing it, remember, my friend, there are those three fingers of yours pointing back! If we all take a `hot second' to look into a mirror, I can bet my life there is something about that image we don't like - maybe about something we've done and are too ashamed to let anyone know. So, please, let's not judge her for her faults (we all have them, you know) but for all the good that outweighs the bad. Yes, Cheryl, my adopted daughter who chose me, there are two tears trickling down my face now joined as one. I am proud and privileged to have had you pass through my life. You were certainly exceptional and an inspiration to those who knew you. You, Cheryl, are an extra special person and it is rare for one person to have all those wonderful qualities you possessed.
She goes on to say
" You are not here to protect yourself, but I am. "Hey, Kid, You're Aces in My Eyes." The tears can stop now and the pain can subside. I can smile now - the grief, pain and suffering have passed. You are at last a "freespirit". Sleep, my child. You'll be sadly missed by me Your 2nd Mom, Shaye Dillon ."
To read some of the trial report click Here
MURDERED
Terri Lynn Carson
He continues to attend his parole hearings but has been denied parole so far.
MURDERED
Ada Court
ADA COURT, aged 13, was brutally murdered by serial killer, Clifford Olson. Ada was murdered on June 21, 1981.
Once arrested, Clifford was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
MURDERED
Chantal Marie Venne
CHANTAL MARIE VENNE , 21, in Esquimalt, BC, was found strangled with the belt of her coat and her hands bound. Chantal was tortured, sexually assaulted and her partly clad body dumped in an industrial area on Feb. 25, 1986.UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Donna Rose Kiss
DONNA ROSE KISS , aged 25, of BC on Aug. 2, 1986. She was strangled with a tie and her body was dumped UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Donna Charlie
DONNA CHARLIE, aged 22, of Fort Ware, BC was murdered sometime between Sept. 1 – 8, 1990.
Approximately 7½ months after her death, Donna Charlie’s body was found in a shallow grave. Her head was missing and has never been found. Due to the decomposition of her body, the cause of death could not be established.
In late August 1990, Donna and her boyfriend, Gerald Smaaslet, who was then 29 years of age, flew from the Fort Ware area to Prince George. They registered at the Sportsmen's Motel on 30 August and were assigned room no. 17. Because persons from Fort Ware had a reputation for partying and causing damage, the appellant registered under the name of Gerry Pool from Fort St. John. They spent the next few days drinking and doing drugs in the Motel Room.
On Sept. 1, 1990, the hotel owner/manager, Mrs. Hunter, went into room 17 where she observed damage to the room and blood on the floor of the bathroom. Mr. Hunter also attended and saw a native woman with blood on her face and substantial damage done to the bathroom of room 17. He also noted blood in various areas of the bathroom. He later testified that the Mr. Smaaslet told him that the damage and the blood resulted from a fight in the room between three uninvited assailants who had assaulted the appellant and had raped Donna.
Mr. Hunter did not notice any injury to the appellant. Neither the appellant nor Mr. Hunter called the police. The evidence at the trial leaves these matters unexplained but there is a photograph of the deceased, possibly taken the next day, that does not show any injuries.
Mr.Smaaslet testified on his own behalf, stating that he and Donna checked out of the motel on Tuesday, 4 September 1990. Both of them were drunk and stoned prior to checking out. They brought their belongings down to the front of the motel and he went to return the key and to pay for the room while she waited outside. After he checked out of the motel, he stated that he and Ms. Charlie went behind the motel and continued to drink. Donna complained that she was not feeling well and that her throat and chest were bothering her. He went across the street to a store to make some purchases and returned to find Donna Charlie lying on her side as if she were asleep. He claimed he put his coat under her head and noticed that she was blue and that foam was coming from her mouth. When he saw that she was not breathing, he performed C.P.R. on her without response. He testified that he panicked, did not report the death, and resumed drinking.
David Girroir, a 17 year old cousin of the appellant, testified on behalf of the Crown. He had signed a Crown immunity agreement dated 16 April 1991. He testified that he had seen Mr. Smaaslet at his mother's house between 6 September and 7 September 1990, and that the was asked to help him dispose of a body. Two days later, on 9 September 1990, Mr. Smaaslet again asked David Girroir to help him bury a body. Girroir finally agreed to help. He testified that between approximately 11:30 p.m. and 12:00 midnight they went to Ingledew Park in Prince David Girroir further testified that, in a bushy area of Ingledew Park, they dug a four foot hole. They went to another bushy area across the street where the appellant pulled the body of the victim from beneath a piece of cardboard. The appellant and David Girroir each grabbed a pant leg and dragged the body to Ingledew Park where they put the body in the hole. David Girroir stated that he did not look at the body because the appellant told him not to do so, but he could tell that it was decomposing from the strong smell that was coming from the body. They covered the body with dirt, twigs and trees. The appellant prayed over the grave site
. The appellant then backtracked to ensure no evidence was left. He discovered that the head had fallen off the body and went to obtain something in which to carry the head and found a white plastic bucket. He picked the head up with a shovel and placed it in the bucket.
The appellant and David Girroir then went to Connaught Hill where they buried the head behind some trees and hid the bucket. A civic worker found and disposed of a white plastic bucket in this area at about this time. The appellant instructed Girroir that if anyone asked about Donna Charlie he was to tell them that she had gone to MacKenzie in a white car.George.
Cheryl Girroir, a cousin of the appellant, testified that she had seen the appellant in September and that the appellant was visibly upset. He told her that something had happened to Donna Charlie, but he did not call the police because he feared he would get into trouble.
Marilyn Isadore, a step-sister of the appellant, testified that sometime after 11 September 1990, the appellant came to her house in Prince George and told her that he was glad that Donna Charlie was dead. He told her he was glad that he had killed Donna Charlie. Shortly thereafter, he pinned Marilyn Isadore against a refrigerator and told her that if she said anything, her head would end up in a white bucket like Donna's head.
In September 1990, Ms. Isadore was under a doctor's care for emotional problems, was on medication, and was drinking heavily. While testifying at the trial of the appellant, Marilyn Isadore became hysterical and was taken out of the courtroom to a doctor. It was determined that she had taken several tranquilizers the night before she testified and she was in no condition to continue her testimony. Several days later she completed her testimony.
Wanda Isadore, a former girl friend of the appellant, testified that in April and May 1990 - some months before the death of Donna Charlie - she had visited the appellant in jail in Prince George and he had told her at that time that he was going to kill Donna Charlie or one of her family members for what they had put him through.
That evidence was disputed by Julia Matus, a defence witness, who had accompanied Wanda Isadore on her visits to the appellant in April and May 1990. Ms. Matus stated that the appellant had told them he would get even with Donna Charlie but had never said he would kill her or anyone else.
Wanda Isadore further testified that later in September 1990, the appellant had told her that he had killed Donna Charlie. She claimed that he had told her that he had cut off Donna Charlie's nipples, put some burns on her, shoved a beer bottle up her crotch and had raped her. He said he wanted to make her suffer the way her family had made him suffer. On cross-examination, Wanda Isadore testified that she had also heard from other people some part of what she testified had been done to the victim, including her nipples being cut off and the beer bottle shoved up her crotch. She acknowledged that a lot of pressure was put on her by various sources to tell the police what she claimed had happened.
Dr. Jennifer Rice, an expert in the field of forensic pathology, examined the partial remains of Donna Charlie after her body had been located by Constable Paul Meyer on 17 April 1991. Dr. Rice testified that the body was in an advanced state of decomposition. There was no head present but the rest of her skeleton was complete. She stated that the cause of death could not be determined, but from x-rays of the remains there was no evidence of injury or projectiles in the body. She could not determine whether there had been any soft tissue injury. The bones at the top of the neck did not reveal that any device or tool had been used to sever the head from the body and, in her opinion, the head had separated from the neck as a result of decomposition, likely when the body was moved. Dr. Rice said a bra was in place and there was no blood on the remains of the clothing in which the body was found.
Dr. Rice was recalled as a defence witness later in the trial. She was qualified as an expert on the effects of alcohol on the human body and testified that alcohol taken in large quantities could produce death by an overdose. She stated that symptoms of alcohol overdose include bluish discolouration around the mouth and a buildup of frothy fluid in the lungs which would drain out of the mouth. In other words, she confirmed the plausibility of the description of alcoholic death given by the appellant to several witnesses.
At 11:09 a.m. on 19 February 1992, the judge finished his charge. At 3:42 p.m. that day the jury returned and asked the judge to explain the definitions of first degree murder, second degree murder, and manslaughter. The trial judge recharged them on those offences in essentially the same manner that he had described them in his original charge..
The jury found Mr. Saaslet guilty of second degree murder.
The case was appealed and Mr. Saaslet was given a new trial.
Information about the outcome of that trial cannot be located, however, please note the update.
UPDATE
Less than a year later, the accused was found guilty of assault on another woman in another hotel in BC.
MURDERED
Carol Ruby Davis
CAROL RUBY DAVIS , aged 29, whose partly nude body was dumped in the bush near Wiggins Ave. in Burnaby, BC, June 20, 1987. She was the mother of two and a known drug user.She had been stabbed to death.
MURDERED
Lisa Marie Gavin
MURDERED
Catherine Mary Daignault
MISSING
Ramona Shuler
RAMONA SHULER aka Budnickwho is a member of the Cree Nation was born March 25, 1967. She has brown eyes, strawberry brown hair, height 163 cm, and is 65 kg. She was last seen late November 2003.
Anyone with information about Ramona's whereabouts is asked to contact the RCMP.
MURDERED
Loretta Capot-Blanc
On August 11, 1997, Loretta was celebrating Fort Nelson First Nation Treaty Days with a number of friends. When she went missing, many people thought that she might have been traveling to the Northwest Territories or to Alberta. However, after a couple of days went by with nary a word from her, her family started getting worried. It was extremely unusual for Loretta not to call her son or her mother; therefore, her mother filed a missing persons report.
Once it was confirmed that she was missing, the RCMP started interviewing everyone who had saw her last and labeled her disappearance as suspicious. Unfortunately for the family, their worst fears were confirmed when Loretta Capot-Blanc's remains were found on September 1, 1997.
After analyzing the remains, the RCMP confirmed that it was murder.
Since her passing, the family has been looking for some sort of resolution. Loretta's cousin, Roberta Dendys (Capot-Blanc) said, "we are hoping that someone will come forward and help resolve the situation for the sake of Loretta's family."
The Fort Nelson First Nation has assisted the family by offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Loretta Capot-Blanc.
If anyone has any information, please contact the Fort Nelson RCMP at (250) 774-2777, or the Crimestoppers Tip Line at (250) 774-TIPS.
MURDERED
Nancy Jane Bob
MISSING
"Kellie" Little aka Richard Kellie Little
UNSOLVED
MISSING
Marlissa Brown
MARLISSA BROWN, aged 15, of Vancouver, BC has been missing since Jan. 20, 2007.
Marlissa is described as a First Nations girl, 5'2" - 5'4" tall, with black hair, black eyes, a nose ring.
She was last known to be wearing a black hooded winter coat (bomber style), white runners, and blue jeans.
She may be in the Commercial and Broadway areas of Vancouver.
Marlissa's father is very worried about her and asks if anyone has seen or heard from Marlissa to please contact him at :
Daniel Brown (604) 258-0015.
MISSING
MURDERED
Sereena Abbotsway
SEREENA ABBOTSWAY , aged 29. Sereena was a known drug addict and sex trade worker who was reported missing from downtown eastside Vancouver in Aug, 2001.
Serena was identified as being murdered on Feb. 22, 2002. Robert (Willie) Pickton, of Port Coquitlin, BC was convicted of second degree murder in Sereena's death. He will serve twenty five years wtihout parole.
MURDERED
Cassandra Antone
CASSANDRA LAILONI ANTONE , aged 20-year found murdered on June 1, 1997, in a bramble bush patch of remote area of Richmond, BC on A hiker found her burned body.
She had a seven-month-old son whom she named Sky Gerald Jestyn Dominic Mattson-Antone. Cassandra was a member of the Squamish Nation.
Cassandra was drug addicted and a prostitute who worked the Main and Hastings streets area of Vancouver. Her last known address was in North Vancouver.
Constable Mike Lidstone, a North Vancouver RCMP Officer, described Cassandra as a sweet girl with a big smile who treated everyone with respect. "She was always, always a pleasant girl to be around and talk to. Always," said Lidstone. Const. Lidstone said Cassandra was on Hastings Street for a couple of months only. "Her addiction took her places a lot of people didn't think she would ever go to," said Lidstone. He added that the power of addiction can take a good person to low places. The police constable said he last saw Antone 10 months ago. Lidstone offered to help Antone recover from drug use. "She indicated at that point that drugs were no longer a problem in her life," said Lidstone. "At that point, I felt she was cleaning her life up and living clean and happy." Lidstone said Cassandra's mother used to drive around at nights looking for her daughter.
Antone's former teachers at Keith Lynn Alternate Secondary School (KLASS) continue to be stunned and upset about the death of the popular student.
"She was always one of my very favorite students. She was one of those students you almost cared too much for," said teacher Bonnie Grant, who was Antone's homeroom teacher in 1994-1995.
Grant said the last time she saw Antone was about a year ago at a movie theatre.
"I was in the line getting popcorn and she came up behind me and gave me a big hug," said Grant.
Antone was so highly regarded at her school that she was recruited as a peer counsellor. Antone attended KLASS from 1993 to 1995.
Said principal Woldy Sosnowsky, "She had a real desire to do good things with people. She was a very positive influence around the school, especially with First Nations people."
Teachers described Antone in a yearbook comment as being "Like a shining star. Often we wonder where you are. When she is here she shines so bright. All too often she is out of sight."
Teachers said Antone had a flair for art and writing.
Cassandra's high school annual bio wrapped up her ambitions as, "to finish school, marry, have a million kids and live happily ever after."
The Richmond RCMP have given out few details about the murder investigation.
They asked anyone who was in the area of the east end of Triangle Road between midnight on May 31 to 9 a.m. on June 1 to contact Cpl. Gary Shinkaruk or Const. Russ Howard at 278-1212.
MURDERED
Kari Ann Gordon
KARI ANN GORDON , aged 26. At the time she disappeared in 1997, she was trying to cut her ties to drug addiction and sex trade in downtown eastside Vancouver, so she could regain custody of her young son. Her body was discovered in March 1998 at Little Lillooet Lake, near Pemberton.
MURDERED
Tammy Lee Pipe
TAMMY LEE PIPE , aged 24, of Vancouver, BC. Tammy's cause of death has not been released due to similarity to other murders of Vancouver prostitutes. Her body was found in a wooded area near Agassiz.
MURDERED
Rachel Turley
MURDERED
Rose Minnie Peters
ROSE MINNIE PETERS , aged 28, of Vancouver, BC strangled, beaten and sexually assaulted April 3/88, in the Strathcona district.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Gale Annetta Morrison
Dwain Elliot Taylor, aged 25 was found guilty, and appealed. To read about this trial click Here
MURDERED
Bernadine Standingready
MURDERED
Mary Anne Medwayosh
For many years there were no suspects, but, in 1988, a brother of the appellant gave the police in Sherbrooke, Quebec, some information which led to an investigation.
The accused, Jean Victor Beaulac, was found guilty.
He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
For trial proceedings, click on This link
MURDERED
Mary Lidguerre
MARY LIDGUERRE , aged 30, of Vancouver, was last seen alive on July 7, 1995. Mary's skeletal remains were found by Park Rangers on Aug. 16, 1996 in a remote location on Mount Seymour in the Mount Seymour Provincial Park.
Anyone who knew Mary or anyone with information is asked to contact Corporal Chris Kennedy at (604) 985-1311, local 7414, or Crime Stoppers at 669-8477.
MURDERED
Patricia Pendleton
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Crysta Lynn David
MURDERED
Margaret Vedan
Margaret was a prostitute and the mother of four grown children.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Vickie Black
VICKIE BLACK, aged 23 of Vancouver, murdered March 24, 1993. UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Janet Basil
JANET BASIL aged 33, of 27 W Hastings St, Vancouver BC. was stabbed to death.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Adriane Cecile Rose Wadhams
ADRIANE CECILE ROSE WADHAMS, aged 6 of Port Hardy BC on June 3, 1989.
On that Saturday, with her younger sister, Chiquita, three years of age, Adriane went to the beach to play. She never returned home. Reported missing, a search party sought her. It found her strangled corpse in the bushes not far from the beach. She had been violently and brutally slain.
Jason Kennedy , then 15 1/2 years of age, was charged with first degree murder. He was tried as an adult.
Adriane's mothers Victim impact statement stated, "One cannot express in words the feelings of joy my daughter brought into my life, nor can mere words express the trauma her tragic and brutal death has had on my life ... To lose your child is tragic in itself, but to have your child senselessly murdered when they are in the innocence of childhood is the worst nightmare a parent could live through ..."
The accused was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for eight years.To read trail reports click Here
MURDERED
Phoebe Mack
A few weeks before her death, Phoebe warned her new boyfriend not to call when her exhusband was visiting or he would kill her. A few days before her death, she emailed her new boyfriend to tell him her ex was going to kill her.
Her husband killed her in the presence of her two-year-old son. Death occurred as a result of him placing her in a headlock. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
To read some of the trial reports click Here and Here
MURDERED
Roberta Jean Elders
Police aren't sure if Elders was murdered or died of an accidental drug overdose, but they are treating her case as a homicide
They don't know yet her cause of death. UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Melissa Maureen Nicholson
MELISSA MAUREEN NICHOLSON, aged 17, whose naked and bruised body was found June 11, 1991 in bushes near Shawnigan Lake. She and Nancy Greek were both women were last seen on the corners of Courtney and Gordon St. in Victoria it was then assumed that these women were attacked by the same person.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Kimberley Gallup
KIMBERLEY GALLUP aged 17, who was strangled in a room at the Colony Motor Inn on Nov. 21, 1990.
MURDERED
Lorraine Sue Awasis
LORRAINE SUE AWASIS aka Lorraine JACOBSEN, aged 40 of Whe la la U First Nations near Alert Bay, BC, shot and killed by RCMP investigating a domestic dispute on Feb. 28, 2003.
Further investigation revealed that the RCMP member was unable to gain entry to the locked residence. He claimed he had called for back up and while waiting observed the woman in the residence armed with a large butcher knife moving towards a male in a threatening manner. The locked sliding glass door was then unlocked by someone inside the residence and the member entered to protect the male. Upon entry the female refocused her attention from the male to the RCMP member. She continued to approach the member and refused to obey verbal commands to put the knife down. As attempts to disarm the woman met with negative results, the member fired a single shot which hit the woman. The woman was transported to the Alert Bay Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
RCMP held a community meeting attended by 200 a few days later.
The RCMP Major Crime unit from Courtenay is continuing their investigation in conjunction with the B.C. Coroners Service. Once the investigation is complete, a complete report will be forwarded the Crown Counsel for review. A Coroners Inquest will be held.
MURDERED
Christa Marie George
CHRISTA MARIE GEORGE aged, 27 , of Chilliwack, BC, found in an alley.
The Chilliwack Reporter, Rick Collins, in his article, "Christa Marie George died, did anyone care?", A woman was lying face up on the pavement when I looked out my second-story window last Thursday afternoon. She lay in the shadows of an alley often used by street people to hide from the heat in summer and to avoid the cold winds and rain of autumn.
Several police cars and an ambulance arrived shortly thereafter. Crews attempted to get her heart started and breathing again. Two men who were with her stood in numb silence leaning against the wall watching the surreal scene. Employees here at the Progress took turns doing the same, watching out the windows, before returning back to their busy lives and a fast-approaching community newspaper deadline.
After several attempts to revive her, Christa Marie George, 27, was put in the ambulance and taken away at moderate speed. I expected the worst.
The police left as well. Although one officer returned later to take photographs of the scene. The materials the B.C. Ambulance crew used to try and help her were left scattered across the lane. The light blue paper and gauze remain there today as a grim and potentially-hazardous reminder.
As is usual protocol, one of our news reporters asked an RCMP officer on scene for some information. He was encouraged to contact the media liaison at Chilliwack RCMP.
On doing this, our reporter was told that the woman had been revived at Chilliwack General Hospital and was doing fine. Often, we would leave it at that. But we felt the good news of a woman being "saved" by ambulance attendants was worthy of our "Top Stories."
This is what we reported in a cutline underneath a photograph entitled "Lifesaving crews to the rescue," on page 3 in our Friday, November 21 edition.
The truth however, is that Ms. George died here in the alley.
When I found out Monday morning, not from a police statement, press release or phone call, but through a meeting with five very distraught family members, I wondered if this young woman had been anything but First Nations and down on her luck would Chilliwack's emergency response system and RCMP investigation been any more thorough? I also questioned my own response. Would our coverage have been more concise if police had discovered a middle-aged, white woman dead in a downtown lane?
Would the RCMP have cordoned off the area with tape like they always do with a suspicious death and crime scene instead of allowing cars to continue to drive and pedestrians to walk through the area all afternoon?
As I told Christa's mother Monday morning, I feel terrible, and I am sorry. But mine isn't the only apology her family should be receiving.
I also told her I am appalled at the perception we have two classes of citizens in our community. I thought Chilliwack had shaken its dark past and moved comfortably into the 21st century.
Now I don't know what to think.
No further information available.
MURDERED
Violet Delores Herman
VIOLET DELORES HERMAN, aged 40 a drug addict and prostitute, was stabbed to death at the rear of 133 West Pender Street in Vancouver on July 10th, 2002. She was a regular visitor to the building, which is a social housing facility. Detectives feel that she may have known her killer.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Wahl at 604-717-2516 or Det. Chernoff at 604-717-2525, the VPD's missing person's office at 604-717-2530 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
UNSOLVED
MISSING
Velma Marie Duncan
If you have any information concerning Duncan's whereabouts, please contact: Williams Lake CrimeStoppers
800-222-TIPS, Extension 8477
You may remain anonymous when submitting information to any agency.
UNSOLVED
MISSING
Roberta Marie Ferguson
She was last seen wearing octagon glasses, black shorts, a black tank top and carrying an army green knapsack.
VITAL STATISTICS:
Date Of Birth: November 19, 1968
Age at Time of Disappearance: 19 years old
Height and Weight: 5'5", 111 lbs
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Long black curly hair; brown eyes. She is Native Canadian. Ferguson wears eyeglasses. All her teeth were present at the time of her disappearance
If you have any information concerning Ferguson's whereabouts, please contact:
RCMP - 604-792-4611
You may remain anonymous when submitting information
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Brenda Hazel Larose
After partying for three days with a friend, which included drinking, taking various pills, smoking marijuana and injecting cocaine, Reynold LaRose, Brenda's estranged husband, left his friend's house, after injecting "three shots of cocaine", apparently to take Brenda out to celebrate her birthday.
At his trial he described his movements throughout the day which culminated in him going to the Cherry Blossom restaurant in Burnaby at 4:00 p.m. on Feb. 23, 1990. There he intended to meet with the deceased, in part at least to celebrate her birthday.
Brenda arrived at the restaurant at 8:00 p.m. By that time he had consumed three rum and cokes, most of a litre of white wine and numerous pills, including valium, muscle relaxers and anti-depressants. A bill from the restaurant was put in evidence confirming the purchase of those stated quantities of alcoholic beverages.
Mr. LaRose testified that Brenda drank one small glass of white wine from the litre he purchased. He consumed the balance.
They left the restaurant shortly after 8:30 p.m. and took a taxi to a video shop on 12th Street in new Westminster where he rented a V.C.R. and several tapes which he ordered by name. Neither the taxi driver nor the video shop clerk noticed the appellant showing any overt signs of impairment. From the video shop they carried on in the same taxi to the Burnaby Hotel. He requested room 210 and signed the registration card. A few minutes later he returned to the desk asking that they be moved to room 209 which had a better T.V. When asked to describe the appellant's "demeanour and appearance", the desk clerk replied; "Happy and light-hearted attitude and pleasant".
According to Mr. LaRose, at some point after checking in to room 209 he went to the hotel bar where he purchased a case, or 12 cans, of beer. On returning to the room he opened a beer for each of them and put a movie in the V.C.R. He and Brenda drank beer and watched movies. Eventually Brenda fell asleep. He continued to watch movies, drink beer and "pop" pills. At some point Brenda woke up.
Sometime between checking in and 11:30 p.m., Brenda to the front desk and asked the clerk for a cigarette. Later, at about 11:30, the same clerk obtained several cigarettes from the bartender and took them to room 209. Brenda answered the door. The clerk was able to ascertain only that the T.V. was on and that Brenda appeared to be sober. She saw no one else in the room at that time.
Brenda's body was discovered in the hotel room the following day.
Autopsy report shows that Brenda had been stabbed a total of ten times. The first wound in time was a deep stab wound to the back, which went through a rib and penetrated the lower lobe of the left lung. The irregular shape of this wound suggested either that the knife was moved while in the wound, or that the Brenda was herself moving while it was inflicted. This wound would have been fatal without prompt attention. There was a cluster of four deep stab wounds to the deceased's left breast. Each one penetrated her heart, one to the left side and the other three to the right. Any one of these wounds would have been fatal. Great force would have been required to inflict these five wounds.
There were, in addition, five stab wounds to the upper abdomen, none of which would have been fatal in themselves. In the pathologist's opinion, these wounds, which would have required less force, were inflicted shortly before or at the point of death. There were also a number of incised or slash wounds to the deceased's left hand, left arm and left leg. These were characterized by the pathologist as "defensive" wounds, inflicted while she was attempting to ward off the other blows of the knife. Finally, there were small abrasions or scrapes and some linear bruising along the left side of the deceased's neck. These were of the same vintage as the stab wounds, and suggested that she was forcibly held down by her neck at some point as she struggled to defend herself.
Analysis of the various fluid samples taken from Brenda's body disclosed no alcohol in her blood stream at the time of death, and trace amounts of alcohol in her urine and eye fluid, all of which suggested consumption by her of only a small amount of alcohol prior to her death.
The knife used was proven to be one that Mr. LaRose carried with him at all times. His finger prints were found on all of the beer cans in the hotel room.
At 2:50 am the follwing morning Mr LaRose again returned to his friends house and told her that he had killed his wife. He later confessed to her in a jail interview sometime after his arrest that he did stab his wife repeatedly, and he pinched her nose, put a pillow over her head and kept stabbing, and gave as a reason: "If I can't have her, no other man is going to have her." He then described to her, how his wife fought off the attack without success, and that he later covered her up, sat and drank two beers, and then came to her apartment.
Mr. LaRose was tried, convicted, appealled, and the conviction was upheld. To read more of the trial CLICK HERE
MURDERED
Martina May Johnnie
MARTINA MAY JOHNNIE, of Fort St. James, British Columbia, was killed by her common law husband, Patrick William Simpson, on January 29, 1994. She had been stabbed four times in her heart and additional stab wounds were found in her abdomen and left arm. Martina's mouth was bruised and her left upper lip was cut. Three bruises found on her left hand were classified by the forensic pathologist as offensive injuries. A toxicologist analyzed Martina's blood and found no alcohol in it.
This murder took place in the presence of their 18 month old son.
Mr. Simpson said that although they had been arguing with increasing frequency, they had never had a physical fight before the night of the stabbing. He is an alcoholic who started to drink at the age of 14. He was 36 at the time of trial. He admitted that when he consumed alcohol his personality would change and he would get angry and be violent. During the four years he had lived with Martina, he rarely had anything to drink. He said that he smoked marijuana and that it had a calming effect on him. He testified that on the day of the stabbing, he had asked Martina for $20.00 and had gone out and bought a case of beer. He knew Brenda did not like him drinking beer. He said he had eight or nine beer before the stabbing.
When the police arrived at the scene, Simpson was shaken and upset. He invited the police in. He mumbled some phrases but the words "I didn't mean to" were heard.
On the evening of the stabbing, the appellant spoke to his brother and a person whom he regarded as his brother-in-law with respect to what had occurred. He also made certain statements to the police. The appellant was able to carry on a conversation, was responsive to questions, and had no apparent difficulty with his motor skills. He appeared to be sober and co-ordinated. The police were not specifically looking for signs of impairment.
In his testimony, the appellant gave the following version of events. He and the Martina had been arguing throughout the day and he had told her that he was fed up and was going to leave. Martina allegedly became very angry and told him that she would throw out everything he had given her and put their son in a foster home. He claims Martina then hit him. The argument escalated into physical blows delivered by both himself and Martina. The fight moved from the porch into the living room of their trailer. Martina allegedly rushed into the kitchen towards the counter or sink and the appellant believed that she was going for a knife. He grabbed the knife first and began to stab Martina.
A forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Semrau, was called by the defence to support the defence of provocation. Dr. Semrau stated that a lot of anger and hostility had built up in the relationship between the appellant and the deceased and that it had not been dealt with in a healthy way. The anger and hostility gradually became stronger to the point that the appellant could no longer control it. Dr. Semrau opined that the hostilities between the deceased and the appellant built up over the course of the day and then a number of things were added to the scale to tip it to the appellant's becoming violent. What occurred was extreme rage that blew up and took over the appellant. He said that the appellant's ability to recall what he was feeling at the time is consistent with what is known about such a situation, that is, that people do not recall specific thoughts because they are acting on powerful feelings and their ability to think about what they are doing is not functioning or is functioning very poorly.
The jury asked one question during their deliberations: "Please refresh us on the defences of intoxication and provocation and how they relate."
Patrick Simpson was convicted of manslaughter. His appeal was dismissed.
MURDERED
Kristal Eileen Martin
KRISTAL EILEEN MARTIN, aged 32, of Victoria BC, on June 18, 1999.
Kristal and James Robert Labbe were both were alcoholics and "street people." They lived mostly on income assistance and panhandling. During the evening of 17-18 June 1999, Mr. Labbe and Ms. Martin were drinking Chinese cooking wine in an alley behind a residence at 3206 Quebec Street, Victoria, B.C. Allegedly, Ms. Martin was remorseful over the death of two former boyfriends. She asked Mr. Labbe to kill her so that she could join them.
Mr. Labbe picked up a cinder building block and struck her on the head ten times. Around 6:00 a.m. on 18 June 1999, a short distance from the crime scene, Victoria City Police arrested Mr. Labbe for being drunk in a public place. At the time, they did not know of Ms. Martin's death. At 8:00 a.m. on 18 June 1999, different police officers responded to a call coming from the Quebec Street location. They found Ms. Martin's dead body. Other evidence led them to Mr. Labbe who was still in the police cells recovering from his intoxicated state.
On 18 June 1999 at approximately 2:30 - 2:50 p.m. Mr. Labbe gave two breath samples to the police. They produced readings of .13 and .14. A police officer testified that those readings would justify Mr. Labbe's arrest for being drunk in a public place. Around then, Detective Ayres interviewed Mr. Labbe outside the breathalyzer room. At one point in the interview, Mr. Labbe said, "my lawyer told me I would get life for what I did." Detective Ayres replied, >i>"for first degree murder the sentence would be 25 years without parole." Mr. Labbe then made a "spiteful" comment about "white man's law." Detective Ayres asked him, "what would the penalty be in your culture." Mr. Labbe looked down and said "death."
Between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. that day Mr. Labbe confessed on videotape to killing Ms. Martin. A pathologist testified that Ms. Martin died from a number of blows to her head administered with significant force.
Mr. Labbe gave evidence. He denied killing Ms. Martin. He said he could not remember what happened. He admitted drinking with her on the couch but said he fell asleep and woke up to find her dead. He knew she had been assaulted because there was blood on his clothing. He never sought medical help for her, nor did he call the police. He admitted to committing a number of criminal offences dating from February 1979 to May 1999. They included about 7 convictions for theft, 7 for breaking and entering, various convictions for assault, and convictions for dangerous use of a firearm, pointing a firearm, wounding, uttering threats and failing to appear.
The Crown filed 2 victim impact statements written by Ms. Martin's mother and brother. They describe how Ms. Martin's death affected their lives.
Mrs. Martin admits to being an alcoholic. She is aboriginal and lives on a reserve near Duncan, B.C. She is angry with Mr. Labbe for taking her daughter's life. She is trying to rebuild her life but finds it difficult to do so because of her tragic loss.
A Mr. and Mrs. Fraser adopted Ms. Martin's brother shortly after his birth on 23 April 1971. He states he was brought up in a good home and learned right from wrong. Around 1989 he sought out his natural mother and moved to Duncan from New Westminster. He did not know his sister Krista very well as she lived in Victoria. Nonetheless, her death caused him much sadness. He is angry because Mr. Labbe's actions deprived him of a lifetime of getting to know his sister. He hopes his surviving sisters will not suffer the same fate.
The Crown filed a pre-sentence report dated 26 May 1999. The probation officer prepared it for previous offences Mr. Labbe committed in 1999. It describes Mr. Labbe as a Metis born in St. Boniface, Manitoba. According to the report, his adoptive mother abused him when he was a child. Throughout his youth he was very angry. Between the ages of 14 to 16 he lived in several Ontario provincial institutions. He says he achieved a grade 13 high school diploma from Ontario and worked at various part time jobs. An employer stated that Mr. Labbe's main problem is alcohol abuse. Mr. Labbe admitted he would be an alcoholic for the rest of his life.
Following his last conviction Mr. Labbe got sober. The presentence report at that hearing, recommended a sentence of probation based upon Mr. Labbe's continuing sobriety. One condition suggested that he abstain absolutely from the consumption of alcohol. On 26 May 1999, the court imposed an 18 month conditional sentence to be served in the community.
Less than one month later he killed Ms. Martin while he was in a state of intoxication
At his trial for the murder of Martina Johnnie, the Crown Attorney stated that Mr. Labbe's assault on Ms. Martin was particularly vicious. His excuse that "she asked me to do it," is not one recognized by the law. Ten times he admitted hitting Ms. Martin on the head with the cement block until finally she succumbed. Then, he left her dead body in the alley under a mattress. It was an unspeakable crime.
Nonetheless, the jury apparently thought the effects of the alcohol he consumed raised a doubt as to whether he intended to kill Ms. Martin. Instead of finding him guilty of second degree murder, they only found him guilty of manslaughter.
He was sentenced to 8 years in prison.
MURDERED
Kayla Nichole Shieann John
KAYLA JOHN, aged 13, of Zeballos, BC, a member of Ehattesaht First Nation was found murdered on Tuesday, April 27, 2004.
Kayla, described as a studious girl who chose to attend weekly Bible studies instead of hanging out with the partying crowd, was reported missing Monday about 11:30 p.m.
Members of her band, the Ehattesaht First Nation, friends, and family began a search and by Tuesday at 2 p.m., her body was found in a wooded area near her family's small yellow trailer. Kayla lived there with her mother, two sisters, aged eight and 15, and her 18-year-old brother.
"Everyone loved Kayla," said friend Joy Myers. "When I first met her four years ago, there was this total trust. She was just so sweet. She would keep people out of trouble. She never did drugs or alcohol. In this town that is a major accomplishment." Kayla's aunt Cheri Smith said Kayla loved to dance and would always offer to help with cleaning or babysitting. "You'd swear she was 18, already grown up but innocent at the same time," she said.
Niece Candace Harry, 17, said Kayla used to watch out for "us kids who did party. "She'd worry and wonder where you were. No one had anything against her."
Smith said Kayla attended a weekly Bible session, and in the summers went to a nearby Christian youth camp. She said Kayla took her schoolwork seriously and always insisted on going to bed by 8 p.m. so she would be fresh for school the next day.
Monica Brawn said even though she is older than Kayla, she asked her to be her bridesmaid because she considered her a good friend. "We'd talk when I was upset. She was a person who was always there for you. A very positive person," said Brawn. She said the last time she saw Kayla was Sunday afternoon, when they got together to plant flowers at Brawn's house.
"I remember thinking how angelic she was," said Myers, who was also there. "She was walking towards me with the sun on her back and I remember thinking it looked like she had angel wings."
In the statement, Kayla's father Simon wrote: "Let her spirit live on with everyone who knew her. Kayla John was a sweet, innocent daughter, niece, granddaughter, sister and friend. She was a drug- and alcohol-free youth that the younger ones looked up to. She looked up to our Creator. She was always willing to lend a helping hand where help was needed."
MURDERED
Kayla McKay
Counselors were sent to area schools to discuss the cases of a 14-year-old boy who attempted to kill himself two weeks ago and a 16-year-old boy who had tried to slit his own throat.
Police say that the case is still being investigated at suspcious, although, Kayla may have committed suicide. Cause of death is not being revealed at this time.
"There's nothing that indicates there's an actual suicide pact," said Andrew McLetchie, spokesman for a coalition that includes the Northern Health Authority, provincial Ministry of Children and Families, School District 52 and other groups and agencies. "We're trying to debunk this idea... "All that we know is they're isolated incidents. We're connecting right now with the school district and counselors. We don't want to jump in and cause a panic."
McLetchie, who works with the health authority, said authorities were trying to give students the facts about the girl's death while addressing the broader issue of suicide.
"We're a real close-knit community here," said Steve Riley, principal of Roosevelt Community School, where the girl spent seven years and was in the eighth grade. "We're taking care of it as a big family." UNSOLVED
MISSING
Eva Mitchell
EVA MITCHELL, aged 83, of Kelly Lake Métis Settlement near Pouce Coupe, B.C., some time during the afternoon Friday, August 20, 2004.
. "We still haven't found my grandmother. I've hardly been sleeping," Mitchell's granddaughter, Rhonda Gauthier, said Monday. "We thought at first she'd just gone for a walk and we'd find her right away." Gauthier thinks her grandmother went for one of her daily walks in the wilderness around the family home and got lost or disoriented. "She can't see very well. She's just about blind in one eye. Her eyesight is very, very poor," she said. "My idea is that she went for a walk and took some route she used to take 20 or 30 years ago and she's lost."
"We've had searchers there day and night," said Gauthier. "The whole community is out there."
Mitchell has lived in Kelly Lake over 40 years, and was a hunter and trapper, said Gauthier.
"She's very well-loved and liked in the community. Everybody loves her."
UNSOLVED
MISSING
ENTIRE JACK FAMILY
DOREEN JACK, her husband, Ronald and her two sons, Russell, aged 9 and Ryan, aged 4, of BC.
It is the only case of its kind in Canada; the disappearance of an entire family.
On August 1, 1989, Ronald Jack was seen at the First Litre Pub with a caucasian male. They left together.
A relative later told police the man had offered he and his wife, Doreen, jobs at either a logging camp or at a ranch. At 1:30 am, August 2, 1989, at the Bednesti Cluculz Lake area, Ronald phoned his mother to give her the good news. He told her they would be gone for 10 days to two weeks. By all accounts, it appeared the family had every intention of returning to their home at some point.
They have not been seen or heard from again.
On January 28, 1996, around 8:33 in the morning, an unidentified man called the Vanderhoof RCMP Detachment and was patched through to the Prince George RCMP dispatch. The voice said, "The Jack family are buried at the south of Gordie's ranch."
The call, it was discovered, was placed from the Stoney Creek area. A tape of the call was sent to the University of British Columbia for analysis. The analysis revealed nothing of value to the investigation. There had been a party at the residence where the call had originated on the evening prior, as police had been called to a complaints of a disturbance. However, interviews of party goers revealed nothing.
According to investiagitors, one of three things could have happened: foul play, the family simply went off the road and have not been discovered or they left voluntarily. However, they are placing greater emphasis on the first option.
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Kim Casimer
She received 20 blows to her head by a hammer after or during being raped by VOYNE MATHIAS BAPTISTE, a 21 year old BC man.
To read trial report click Here.
MURDERED
Mary May Dick
Rick Thieman has been charged with second degree murder in her death.
MURDERED
Monica McKay
Monica's autopsy showed that the cause of death was manual strangulation. There were internal injuries causing bleeding that would also have caused death if not medically treated. Those injuries were caused by at least three heavy blows to the front of her torso which were consistent with hard kicks.
Monica and her boyfriend were engaged in an intimate relationship since early August 1999. There was evidence that the accused had assaulted Monica McKay on November 28, 1999, by pulling her hair and slapping her face, that he had made a threat to kill her by telephone on December 23, 1999, and that he had made a threat to cause harm to her on December 28, 1999. It appears that they drank a lot and separated and reconciled several times. There is evidence that the accused tried to control Monica McKay's activities.
He killed Monica in a fit of anger because she was leaving him and refused to be controlled by him any more.
Four of his previous girlfriends testified in court that he had been controlling and abusive to them as well.
RANDY KENDALL CALDER was charged with second degree murder and found guilty.
To read some of the trial report click Here
MURDERED
Ruby Anne Kirkpatrick
Ruby died of drowning but the pathologist who testified for the Crown said that she was almost certainly unconscious from head injuries before she went into the water and would have died of head injuries had she not been put into the water.
At 6:40 a.m. when Mr. and Mrs. Boisselle drove past Glenmore Pond on their way to church, they saw a vicious assault in progress, with the assailant repeatedly pounding on the bloodied victim. The victim, who was still conscious, was being thrown to the ground, where she was punched and kicked. The attacker became aware of the Boisselles' presence as they passed by the pullout a second time and began slowing to a stop. He made angry menacing gestures to make them leave and they did so. By the time Mr. Boisselle returned to the scene with a nearby homeowner some fifteen to twenty minutes later, the vehicle and the attacker were gone. At 7:30 a.m. the ambulance attendant found Ms. Kirkpatrick's dead body floating at the edge of the pond.
According to the pathologist Dr. Gray, Ruby had sustained a severe beating attack that was concentrated in the area of her face and head. There were indications that she had undergone some degree of neck compression or strangulation. The injuries on her arms and hands suggested that she had been making active efforts to defend herself. Most egregious of the injuries were the lacerations on her scalp. These were blunt force impacts where the face or skull had been crushed. There were some sixteen to twenty injuries to the head. The multiplicity of injuries to the back and sides of the head and the extent of the scalp laceration suggested repetitive blows to those areas with a blunt object or by striking the head against a rock.
The depth of bruising and lack of any clotting in the lacerated areas indicated that the head injuries were inflicted within a time span of fifteen to twenty minutes. The lacerating blows were struck with such force that the victim would have likely been rendered unconscious from the first or second blow.
Sebastian Peter Cerra, aged 43 of Kelowna was charged and convicted of her murder. He tried appealing on the grounds that he should have been charged with manslaughter instead of murder, and that he was cocaine intoxicated at the time of this murder. The appeal was dismissed.
To read more of the trial report, click Here
MURDERED
Helena Tomat
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Rachel Adams
Rachel was last seen by her workmates on Oct 2nd. The last day anyone close to her saw her, was Oct 3rd when she visited a friend’s home in the West End of Vancouver. She did not show or call into work Oct 6th. Friends went over to her house and there was no one answering the door but all the lights were on. Her cell phone was unanswered.
On Thursday the police were called and upon entering her apartment there was evidence of a struggle. The landlady /who lives in the same building, said that the night before, Rachel was fighting with a man she thought was Rachel’s boyfriend. The fighting abruptly stopped in the apartment and then loud music started.
On Wed Oct 6th the landlady went down to Rachel’s apartment to ask this man to move his car as he had parked in her stall. He answered the door but there was no sign of Rachel. He refused to move his car. He left Oct 6th in the morning.
The search ended five days later, in Lions Bay, about 25 kilometres north of Vancouver, where their bodies were discovered in some bushes. Remple's car was found parked in Lions Bay over the weekend.
Vancouver Police Const. Anne Drennan said a resident of Lions Bay, B.C. called 911 to report a vehicle had been parked on his street for several days
Rachel's cousin, Marion Wilson-Brown, one of the people who went into the suite last week, said that aside from the blood, there was nothing out of the ordinary in the apartment, although there were a lot of black clothes lying around.
Preliminary findings indicate that both deaths occurred as a result of hanging. The Coroner's investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding these deaths is asked to contact Detective Louise Neil, 1767 Major Crime Section Assault Squad, Phone 604-717-2527 Pager 604-605-2059
MISSING
Diane May Joseph
Diane has been seen several times around Prince George and has made occasional contact with family....she is still considered missing at this time.
Diane is described as: First Nations 5'8" tall and 132 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information as to Diane's whereabouts is asked to contact the Prince George RCMP at 561-3300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Sandy Korba
Sandy had completed her fourth year at Okanagan University College and was about to receive her degree in business administration. She had tentative plans to attend the University of British Columbia to study law.
Her common law husband, Marik Ellsworth, a landscaper and volunteer fireman, was charged with her murder, yet, despite police describing her murder "horrific" was released on bail.
He later plead guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter. Evidence showed that following an argument, Sandy told Marik to leave and not return. The autopsy report showed that all injuries were to her head, and she would have been rendered unconscious after the first one.
He was sentenced to 10 yea rs in prison.
Immediately after he killed her, Marik went through the home, messing it up, removing jewellery etc. to make it appear to be a robbery. After leaving the home he placed several calls to Sandy, in attempt to help build his alibi. To read more of the trial reports click Here
MURDERED
Sherry Charlie
A full record of his criminal past was not available to Usma, the aboriginal family agency that placed Sherry in the home where she died.
When Sherry first died, her uncle told investigators she died from injuries after being pushed down the stairs by her brother. The police stated they knew within a week that this was not how Sherry died, and suspected her uncle of murder. Still, the Ministry of Children and Family Development allowed the uncle to keep custody of Jamie for the next five months. The Ministry office involved with her care was reduced from seven social workers to two without a corresponding caseload reduction, apparently.
Ryan Dexter George, 32 later admitted to kicking her and slamming her head into the floor because she wouldn't stop crying.
Sherry's mother, Julie Frank, who was not invited to the meeting, said she warned Usma not to place Sherry and her son in the home where she died, but nobody listened.
George pleaded guilty to manslaughter in October 2004 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Six reviews into the government's handling of Sherry's case are underway or completed, including investigations by the ombudsman, coroner, government-appointed child and youth officer and the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
An aboriginal family expert who hails from Sherry's home village on Vancouver Island said her death sends a message of hope and pain to the two levels of government who ultimately failed to protect her: aboriginal and the Liberals. “Sherry is tiny, but her death is huge”, said Marlene Atleo, an education professor at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.
To read the Recommendations by the Review involving Sherry’s murder please CLICK HERE
MISSING
Shirley Cletheroe
Shirley is described as native with brown hair and brown eyes, is 160 cm tall and weighs 55 kg.
She has a scar on her cheek and left side of mouth.
If you have any information regarding Shirley or know her whereabouts please contact:
Fort St. John Detachment, (250) 787-8140
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Stephanie Thomas
STEPHANIE THOMAS, murdered by her ex boyfriend in Saanich BC.
Stephanie and her two year old daughter moved in with her boyfriend and his mother, sharing a trailer. In Aug. 1998 Stephanie discovered she was pregnant and decided to move out of the trailer to live with a relative a short distance away.
On September 6th, 1998, Stephanie returned to the trailer to retrieve the rest of her belongings. Her aunt Anna Walkus, Jonathan Bill, Andy Harris and Mark Thomas accompanied her. At some point, the others left them alone in the trailer to give them some privacy while they argued about a bed Stephanie wanted to take. Somebody, probably the exboyfriend, locked the trailer door from the inside. Soon after, the witnesses outside the trailer heard Stephanie screaming. There were no eyewitnesses as to what took place in the trailer, but the forensic evidence disclosed that the boyfriend shot Stephanie in the arm with a bolt from a crossbow and stabbed her with a knife 46 times, thereby causing her death. Wounds to her neck caused partial decapitation. Abdomen wounds caused destruction of the fetus. Police investigators later determined that the appellant had fired three bolts from the crossbow in the bedroom.
Edward Stewart Walker was convicted of second degree murder. His appeal for a new trial was denied.
MURDERED
Thelma Janice Pete
The Police are asking for the public's assistance in regards to the whereabouts of Thelma on Thursday December 2, 2004. If anyone has any information, no matter how trivial they may feel it is, please contact Kamloops City Detachment at 828-3000. The information you have may be of great importance to the RCMP.
James Wade FRENCH and Richard Steven COLLINS have been charged with Second Degree Murder in regards to the death of Thelma PETE.
MURDERED
Jane Doe’s clothing
Investigators are requesting public assistance in identifying the victim by releasing information about her clothing. She was wearing black/dark navy blue sweat pants and dark made in Canada “ANGELA” brand pullover top, both size small. The victim has a 6" vertical surgical scar from the top of the navel upwards. She has very noticeable crooked and crowded teeth. She has short black hair. No tattoos and no jewelry was found on the victim.
The victim was found within a large size duffle bag. Further details on the duffle bag are not being released at this time. The victim appears to have been in the water anywhere from 1-3 weeks. Where she may have been murdered is not being released. An autopsy has confirmed the cause of death which is not being released.
The victim is described as a female believed to be of Asian or Aboriginal descent, approximately 40-50 years old, approximately 4'8" - 5'1" and approximately 100 lbs. A forensic examination has been unable to supply any further information regarding a possible identity.
Several tips have been received from the public so far and are being followed up.
Anyone with information regarding missing persons fitting this description are asked to call the Integrated Homicide Team’s tip line at 604-543-9217.
MISSING
Sharon Nora Jane Abraham
Sharon's Date of birth is Sept. 15, 1965, she has brown hair, brown eyes, is 5'6" tall and weighs approximately 119 lbs.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Missing Women Joint Task Force at 1-877-687-3377
MURDERED
Barbara Joseph
BARBARA JOSEPH, aged 43, of Nak'azdli Reservation, BC, was found deceased at a residence on Lower Road in Fort St. James the morning of September 5th, 2004.
Joseph was discovered with her throat slashed and her arms crossed across her chest. There is speculation that she may have been a gang rape victim, but the RCMP have not arrested anyone with the investigation ongoing. No other details are being released.
Fort St. James RCMP have been working directly with investigators from the North District Major Crime Unit from Prince George and dozens of family members, friends and acquaintances of the victim who have been interviewed to piece together the last known activities of Barbara JOSEPH.
Police have not yet ruled out the possibility that JOSEPH had some prior contact with the suspect(s) and are treating this matter as a possible targeted act.
On Wednesday September 8th,2004, approximately 70 community members from Yekooche, Tl'azten and Nak'azdli gathered on the beach below the house where she was found killed. The sky pelted down wet icy hail as the people walked down Chief Kwah Rd. holding signs "No More Violence Against Women." Those sending prayers thanked the creator for the cloudy grey cold weather, as it was befitting the occasion.
A cleansing ceremony of smudge and drumming led the procession to the beach where flowers and wreaths were laid down. The witness who discovered the body remained in shock kneeling in front of her laminated picture, with other Dak'elh women gathered around her crying.
Elders voiced their concern about alcohol, and stated drinking and drugging has to stop because the Elders cannot sleep at night worrying about what's going on.
"The cycle of alcohol has to stop. We drink because we are happy. We drink because we are sad. But look. This is where it ends up," Barbara Josephs sister motioned to the ground where people left their flowers.
Many residents in Fort St. James and Nak'azdli are very concerned about this incident, with women in the community refusing to walk around before dark and the RCMP still with no one apprehended.
The RCMP are asking anyone who had any dealings with Barbara JOSEPH on the night of Saturday September 4th or the early morning hours of Sunday, September 5th, or may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area of Lower Road in Fort St. James on either day to contact one of the following numbers:
North District Major Crime Unit (250) 561-3177 (Cpl. Dave CHAUHAN )
Fort St. James Detachment (250) 996-8269 (Cst. Tim LYONS)
Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222- TIPS (8477)
RCMP File No: 2004-937
UNSOLVED
MURDERED
Kathleen McGinnis
No further information is avaialble.
UNSOLVED
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