Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes is investigating three separate homicides that occurred between the afternoon of February 1, 2024 and the evening of February 2, 2024 across Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction in Loon Lake, Deschambault Lake and North Battleford.
"Homicide clusters like the one that we saw last week are not an abnormality in Saskatchewan." says Supt. Joshua Graham, officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes "In 2023, there were five separate occasions where the Major Crimes teams deployed to two to three homicides that occurred in less than 48 hours. In the first weeks of 2024, this is something we have already seen happen. Including the three homicides that our teams investigated in the past week, an additional two homicides have occurred since January 18, 2024, totaling five homicide investigations since the new year began."
- Saskatchewan RCMP investigate a mid January death now determined to be suspicious – charges are pending and more details will be shared when next of kin is notified
- Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes lay charges in homicide and attempted homicide at Saskatchewan Penitentiary
- Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes investigating homicide on Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation
- Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes investigating homicide in North Battleford
- Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes: male charged with second degree murder
When homicides occur in a cluster, there is extensive pressure put on the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes teams and the Major Crime Branch as a whole. The highly trained, specialized investigators that make up the Major Crime Branch, General Investigations Section, and Historical Crimes Unit are on standby, ready to attend a scene anywhere in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. With the support of other units such as the Forensic Identification Section, the members investigate homicides, among other serious incidents.
In addition to the homicide investigations in the last week where Major Crimes was deployed, they also provided support, assisted or deployed to four other serious incident investigations. On this, Supt. Graham adds, "Consistently high homicide rates and clusters of new homicides like this stretch our resources and take our investigators away from existing and historical homicides investigations." Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes has not added resources since 2018. "The increased volume of investigations takes a significant toll on our investigators, whose dedication, resiliency and undeniable expertise contribute to finding answers, solving homicides and giving the families of victims closure."
In addition to the specialized units who respond to homicide cases, Saskatchewan RCMP detachment members are often the first responders to calls for service that lead to homicide investigations and remain engaged throughout.
As Saskatchewan's provincial police service, Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes, in collaboration with other Saskatchewan RCMP resources, have laid charges in 84% of homicides investigated since 2015.
Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes investigates all homicides which occur in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. They investigate until those responsible are charged, or all investigational avenues have been depleted. If you have information that may help Major Crimes solve a homicide, report it to your local police of jurisdiction. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.