Edmonton woman Tiki Laverdiere, 25, was last seen in North Battleford. (supplied photo/Battlefords RCMP)

By Angela Brown

Homicide Investigation

One of three accused in Tiki Laverdiere death moving to pre-trial

Nov 1, 2019 | 8:24 AM

Three of eight charged in the death of Tiki Brook-Lyn Laverdiere returned to North Battleford Provincial Court on Friday.

Soaring Eagle Whitstone and Nikita Sandra Cook appeared via CCTV from Pine Grove Correctional Centre. Nicole Cook appeared via CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre, where she is in custody on separate matters.

Nicole is the mother of Tristen Cook-Buckle, whose funeral Laverdiere attended on April 27 on the Thunderchild First Nation.

Nikita, 31, is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping connected to Laverdiere’s death. Her case is moving to pre-trial at Court of Queen’s Bench in Battleford, with a date still to be determined. She entered an election for trial by judge and jury.

The five other charges she faces will be dealt with on Dec. 13 in North Battleford.

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Both Nicole, 36, and Whitstone, 33, are charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle.

Whitstone’s defence counsel, who appeared by phone, requested more time to review disclosure.

An agent for Nicole’s defence counsel, who appeared by phone, asked for an adjournment as her counsel is waiting more disclosure.

Nicole and Whitstone had their cases put off to Dec. 13.

Five others are charged in Laverdiere’s death.

Shayla Orthner, Danita Thomas and Jesse Sangster are charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle.

Mavis Takakenew is charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Brent Checkosis is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle. Checkosis was seriously injured during a stabbing at the Saskatoon Provincial Correctional Centre on Aug. 22.

On Sept. 6, Crown Prosecutor Chris Browne told court he is of the understanding Checkosis was unable to communicate with his defence lawyer at that time and there was no firm date for his recovery.

Laverdiere, 25, was reported missing on May 12 and last seen in North Battleford on May 1. Human remains were found in a rural area outside of North Battleford on July 11 and confirmed to be the Edmonton woman on July 16.

—

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW