(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

CRIME REPORT

Investigators have responded to 15 homicides in Saskatchewan this year: RCMP

Jun 21, 2023 | 2:44 PM

Saskatchewan RCMP have said they are investigating 15 murders so far this year, including three that took place last weekend.

In an update provided to paNOW, the Major Crimes Unit said of those 15 homicides, seven took place in RCMP jurisdictions in the past month alone.

“A cluster of homicides like Saskatchewan experienced this weekend is unfortunately no longer an anomaly,” said Supt. Joshua Graham. “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 15 investigations as of June 18, are higher than the 12 reported from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2022, and 11 reported in the same time frame in 2021.

Charges have been laid in 13 of the 15 homicides reported in 2023 and in total, 17 people— 12 adults and five youth – have been charged.

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Over the weekend, RCMP members were called to investigate homicides that happened in North Battlefords, Muskoday First Nation and Esterhazy.

Meanwhile, police are still investigating the death of Kaylee Crookedneck in North Battleford last Friday and Dalton Linklater in Pelican Narrows on January 11. No charges have been laid in either case.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow