August 28, 2020
North Battleford , Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crime Unit (MCU)-North has been investigating the homicide of Tiki Laverdiere and have continued to follow up on all information and tips since July 2019. To date, 10 people have been charged and are before the courts or have been sentenced for their roles in her death.
On August 26, 2020, the Edmonton Police Service arrested a 36-year-old male wanted by the RCMP MCU-North on a Canada-wide warrant for his role in Tiki Laverdiere's murder.
Samuel Takakenew was charged on August 4, 2020, with Accessory after the fact to Murder, contrary to Section 23(1) and 240 of the Criminal Code. Takakenew had been living in the city of Edmonton, since the time of Laverdiere's murder.
Takakenew remains in police custody and will be returned to North Battleford, Saskatchewan, early next week. Once back in Saskatchewan, he will be appearing in North Battleford Provincial Court, the date and time are yet to be determined.
Samuel Takakenew is the son of Mavis Quinn Takakenew who was arrested in August 2019 for her role in the death of Tiki Laverdiere.
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Backgrounder
Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crime Unit: Ninth person charged in relation to Tiki Laverdiere homicide investigation
2020-07-20
The Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crime Unit (MCU)-North has been investigating the homicide of Tiki Laverdiere for over a year. To date, eight people have been charged and are before the courts or have been sentenced for their roles in her death.
Over the course of the year, MCU-North Investigators have continued to follow up on all information and tips received from the public regarding the case. Newly received information brought investigators to Edmonton, Alberta, and North Battleford, Saskatchewan, where they have been working for the past two weeks.
As a result of this work, police have arrested and charged 33-year-old Charles St. Savard of Edmonton, Alberta, with First Degree Murder, contrary to Section 235(1) of the Canadian Criminal Code and Kidnapping, contrary to Section 279(1.1)(b) of the Canadian Criminal Code for his role in Tiki Laverdiere's murder.
Charles St. Savard was arrested in Edmonton on July 10, 2020, by the Edmonton Police Service and he has been returned to North Battleford, Saskatchewan, where he remains in police custody. He is scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on Monday, July 13, 2020, at 9:30 a.m.
St. Savard is the ninth person charged in relation to the murder of Tiki Laverdiere.
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Saskatchewan RCMP Update - Upgrade of charges against one individual in relation to the Tiki Laverdiere homicide investigation
2019-08-30
Based on further investigation and evidence collected by the Saskatchewan RCMP's Major Crime Unit North in relation to the homicide of Tiki Laverdiere, investigators have now charged Jesse Sangster of Edmonton, Alberta, with the following:
- First degree murder, contrary to Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code,
- Kidnapping, contrary to Section 279(1.1)(b) of the Criminal Code,
- Improperly interfering with a human body, contrary to Section 182(b) of the Criminal Code.
These charges are in addition to the previous charge of theft of a motor vehicle, contrary to Section 333.1 of the Criminal Code.
The previous charge of accessory after the fact to murder (contrary to Sections 23(1) and 240 of the Criminal Code) is being withdrawn when Sangster appears in court later this morning (Friday, August 30).
The investigation into the homicide of Tiki Laverdiere remains ongoing.
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Saskatchewan RCMP UPDATE: Arrest of wanted person in relation to the Tiki Laverdiere homicide investigation
2019-08-16
On August 15, 2019, Nikita Sandra Cook was arrested by Edmonton Police Service without incident, in the city of Edmonton.
She will make her first court appearance in Provincial Court in North Battleford on Monday August 19 at 9:30 am.
The investigation is still ongoing under the direction of the RCMP Major Crimes Unit North.
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Eighth person charged in relation to Tiki Laverdiere homicide investigation
2019-08-15
The Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit North has arrested and charged another individual in relation to the ongoing investigation into the homicide of Tiki Brook-Lyn Laverdiere.
55-year-old Mavis Quinn Takakenew of North Battleford, SK, has been charged with Accessory after the fact to Murder, contrary to Section 23(1) and 240 of the Criminal Code.
Takakenew will make her first appearance in North Battleford Provincial court on August 16, 2019, at 9:30 am.
The RCMP is still working to locate and arrest Nikita Sandra Cook, of the Onion Lake Cree Nation, in relation to this investigation. Cook has been charged with:
- First degree murder, contrary to Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code
- Kidnapping, contrary to Section 279(1.1)(b) of the Criminal Code.
Cook is currently wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant for the above-mentioned charges. She should not be approached.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Nikita Sandra Cook is asked to contact their local RCMP Detachment or police service. They may also contact Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
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Seventh person charged in relation to Tiki Laverdiere homicide investigation; wanted on Canada-wide warrant
2019-08-08
A seventh person has been charged in relation to the homicide of Tiki Brook-Lyn Laverdiere.
Nikita Sandra Cook, of the Onion Lake Cree Nation, has been charged with:
- First degree murder, contrary to Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code
- Kidnapping, contrary to Section 279(1.1)(b) of the Criminal Code.
Cook is currently wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant for the above-mentioned charges.
Police are actively looking to locate and arrest Cook. Cook should not be approached
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Nikita Sandra Cook is asked to contact their local RCMP Detachment or police service. They may also contact Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
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Sixth person arrested and charged in relation to Tiki Laverdiere homicide investigation
2019-08-07
On August 6, 2019, at the request of the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit North, Lloydminster RCMP arrested Soaring Eagle Whitstone of the Onion Lake Cree Nation at a residence in Lloydminster in relation to the homicide investigation of Tiki Brook-Lyn Laverdiere.
33 year-old Whitstone has been charged with the following:
- 1st Degree Murder, contrary to Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code;
- Kidnapping, contrary to Section 279(1.1)(b) of the Criminal Code;
- Improperly interfering with a human body, contrary to Section 182(b) of the Criminal Code; and
- Theft of a motor vehicle, contrary to Section 333.1 of the Criminal Code.
Whitestone will make her next court appearance on August 8, 2019, in North Battleford Provincial Court at 9:30 am.
Investigators are anticipating more arrests.
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Two more persons arrested in relation to the homicide of Tiki Laverdiere
2019-08-01
On July 28, 2019, at the request of Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit - North, the Edmonton Police Service, arrested Jesse Sangster (DOB 1996-02-20) of Edmonton, Alberta in relation to the death of Tiki Laverdiere. He is facing the following charges:
Accessory after the fact to murder, Sections 23(1) and 240 of the Criminal Code; and
Theft of a motor vehicle, Section 333.1 of the Criminal Code.
On July 31, 2019, officers of the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit - North arrested Nicole Cook of Edmonton, Alberta, in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. She is facing the following charges:
- First Degree Murder, Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code;
- Kidnapping, Section 279(1.1) (b) of the Criminal Code;
- Improperly interfering with a human body, Section 182(b) of the Criminal Code; and
- Theft of a motor vehicle, Section 333.1 of the Criminal Code.
Tiki Brook-Lyn Laverdiere travelled to North Battleford at the end of April 2019 to attend the funeral of Tristen Cook-Buckle. Nicole Cook is the mother of Tristen Cook-Buckle.
Both Nicole Cook and Jesse Sangster have been transported back to Saskatchewan and are scheduled to make their first court appearance in North Battleford Provincial Court on August 2, 2019, at 9:30 a.m.
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To read other releases about this case:
RCMP Major Crime Unit North - Help needed to locate vehicle related to Tiki Laverdiere's murder
