Saskatchewan RCMP is concerned about the growing number of homicides, marking a repeated trend of growth over the past few years. A statement from Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes acknowledges the three new murder investigations undertaken in the weekend from Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18, 2023)
“A cluster of homicides like Saskatchewan experienced this weekend is unfortunately no longer an anomaly,” says Supt. Joshua Graham, officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes. “There have been seven homicides in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction in the last 30 days alone. Should this trend continue, Saskatchewan will experience another record number of homicides for the fourth consecutive year. Our Major Crimes investigators have been taxed heavily with investigating these new homicides and managing an ever-increasing workload as they continue to work on previous homicides. This workload greatly impacts the well-being of our investigators, who are committed to finding justice for victims of homicides and closure for their families. The Saskatchewan RCMP is able to respond to these homicides due to the professionalism, resilience, flexibility and dedication of these Major Crimes investigators.”
The release notes that Including this past weekend, Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes has investigated 15 homicides this calendar year (up to and including June 18, 2023). This is compared to 12 from January 1 to June 30 in 2022, and 11 from January 1 to June 30 in 2021.
This weekend, members of the on-call Major Crimes team travelled to homicide scenes in the North Battleford, Prince Albert and Esterhazy areas to conduct immediate investigations of the scenes and interview witnesses.
Charges have been laid in 13 of the 15 homicides reported in 2023. Investigators laid charges in seven homicides within the first 24 hours of investigation, and within the first week of investigation on four additional homicides. In total, 17 people— twelve adults and five youth – have been charged in relation to a 2023 homicide.
If you have information that may help Major Crimes solve a homicide, report it to your local police. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.