Investigation launched into police action or inaction after missing Saik'uz woman found dead
And a fantastic story about the Dream Home winner. And John Rustad might help the NDP get elected in Prince George
On Monday, November 6, 2023, Vanderhoof RCMP confirmed that Chelsey Quaw, who was reported missing on October 11, 2023 has sadly been found deceased. Chelsey was found in a wooded area on the Saik’uz First Nation Reserve.
The BC Coroners Service is conducting a parallel investigation and we are actively investigating into the cause of death.
The RCMP has been in contact with the family. We offer our condolences to Chelsey’s family and friends.
No further information is available at this time. More details may be released as they become available.
B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office, Dec. 6:
Information provided by the Vanderhoof RCMP confirmed that on October 11, 2023, police were called to conduct a wellness check at a residence. Officers took steps but were unable to locate the affected person at the time.
On November 5, the woman that was subject of the wellness check was found deceased within one kilometre of that same residence.
The IIO commenced an investigation after being notified on November 26.
Initial investigative steps will seek to confirm details leading up to the woman’s death as well as what, if any role police actions or inaction may have played in the incident.
It’s a matter of course for the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) to be called in whenever police action or inaction may have contributed to serious harm or death. It’s automatic, actually. What’s of interest here is that the IIO isn’t normally called in when a missing person is found dead, so something about this case must have triggered the possibility that police could have acted differently — possibility being the key word. Many IIO investigations conclude police acted appropriately. This one could, too.
Still, it’s worth noting that in interviews, Chelsey’s mom worried police weren’t taking her daughter’s disappearance seriously enough, and she regularly repeated that she was not troubled, not an addict. There was also a community meeting held by leadership with Saik’uz and Carrier Sekani Family Services saying while they were happy with what local police were doing, they felt not enough was being done on a provincial level.
Here is Mary Teegee, executive director of Carrier Sekani Family Services, following news that Chelsey’s remains were found:
“I think if there had been more volunteers, I think if there had been a heavier RCMP presence … Why were there not RCMP helicopters, why weren’tRCMP dogs, why wasn’t there more RCMP boots to the ground.
“With all the available resources, more could have been done immediately.
“I don’t think that Pam (Chelsey’s mom) should have had to prove that Chelsey was a drug addict, for example. Nothing indicates she was buying drugs, for heaven’s sake.
“Imagine if this was a young white girl out of West Vancouver, what do you think would happen? And I think that’s reality. Would the mother have to be involving for more RCMP involvement, for more of an investigation?”
With that in mind, I should also share here the RCMP responses to inquiries given to them about the efforts put into this case indicate they did use dogs and air. This first one comes from North District RCMP spokesperson Madonna Saunderson on Nov. 8:
What I can tell you is that the Vanderhoof RCMP acted immediately upon receipt of the missing person report and engaged the assistance of the BC RCMP Police Dog Services, RCMP Air Services and local Search and Rescue that day. When she wasn’t located during the initial search, we then sought public assistance through a news release the following morning…
A great deal of work was done between the time of the initial call to when she was located deceased, and I am confident that all investigative avenues were explored prior to her discovery and that every effort was made to locate her safe.
This second one comes after the community forum, via B.C.’s senior RCMP media relations officer Kris Clark (also responding to questions about another missing person from Saik’uz, Jay Raphael):
While Indigenous people have historically been over-represented amongst missing persons, I can also tell you that, regardless of their race or gender, the safety and wellbeing of any missing person is the primary concern driving investigative tasks and decisions, and the investigations into the whereabouts of both Jay and Chelsey are no different. The Vanderhoof RCMP has been continuously engaging external partners and following up on all investigative leads while also keeping the family updated with regards to the search. To be clear, both are still active and ongoing investigations, and will remain active until Jay and Chelsey are located.
While the fact is that going missing is not in itself a crime, the police follow the evidence just like in any other investigation. Generally speaking, If a person’s disappearance is determined to be criminal in nature, officers will have already collected evidence along the way and can then shift to a criminal investigation and finding those responsible without delay. At this time, the investigations for both Chelsey and Jay continue to be for missing persons, with the ultimate goal of locating them safely.
Chelsey has been found, sadly not safe. And now three investigations — police, coroner and IIO — are underway.
Fantastic headline alert:
Great example of leading with an anecdote. The whole story is great, too (please click through on the link to give the author the traffic, he deserves it):
Perez was a hard man to find on Friday night – he didn’t pick up his phone when Donna Flood, the PG Hospice Palliative Care Society’s Executive Director called to share the news.
His name went public soon after, and it was not long before messages started pouring in from all around North America trying to tell him he had won.
“I’d been going through a little bit of a rough week and I put my phone aside because of that,” he remembered. “I had put my phone aside because of that and was focused on playing a board game.”
“I’m setting up the game then I look at my phone and I see I must have had 70 missed calls and messages… what worried me is my Dad and family were on top, there were so many and they’re in Mexico,” he said. “I don’t know why they would know I won something.”
John Rustad might help the NDP get elected in Prince George
There’s another round of polls showing the B.C. Conservatives rising in the polls, at the expense of the former B.C. Liberals, now B.C. United. Former B.C. United member, now leader of the B.C. Conservatives, John Rustad, is pleased:
He said the Conservatives are pulling together a broad coalition of voters, and the party will serve as an alternative to both the New Democrats and BC United.
…
"As the Conservative Party, I think we've changed the dialogue," he said. "You've seen a massive shift in terms of where the United policy is and what they're doing, quite a flip-flop actually."
Also possibly pleased? The governing NDP. Because here’s what 338Canada is projecting would happen if an election were held today:
All the usual disclaimers about polls, etc and the fact this is a year out, yet. Things change, projections are not guaranteed. But still — the rise of the B.C. Conservatives looks to be doing far more harm to B.C. United than it does the NDP. Case in point, here’s what is projected to happen in the riding of Prince George-Mackenzie, long a safe seat for the centre-right party:
The last time an NDP candidate was elected here was 1996 — almost 30 years ago.
Here’s Nechako Lakes, where Rustad is MLA:
Yes, this has him winning but only just. That is crazy close for the NDP to be in that riding. The NDP weren’t even elected there in the nineties!
Prince George-Valemount, where Shirley Bond sites, is still relatively safe for her and her B.C. United Party, no surprise.
But still — this is what it looks like around the province. NDP projected to win their seats and a bunch of new ones where the vote is split between the BCU and the Conservatives. And Rustad does seem to be aware of this, saying he is open to setting up some sort of merger with the party he literally just split from:
"We're prepared to actually have discussions," he said. "I'm not sure what that could look like. I wouldn't certainly say that there is anything imminent about to happen, but a week can be a long time in politics."
It can — and there are still quite a few weeks left before next October, though perhaps not as many as B.C. United might like.
Quick news:
The Citizen has put together a guide to local Christmas light displays.
Ivy’s Family Kitchen has a much better health rating after last week’s inspection.
PG housing market expected to quiet down over the winter. Related: The cheapest house on the market is $199,000.
Volunteer shortage thwarts beloved tradition of rooftop Christmas tree in Prince George.
PG paramedics respond to a combined 320 drug overdose calls in October, November.
You read it in this newsletter first! Silvertip Archers losing facility, need new.
Today in the Prince George Citizen opinion pages: Former city councillor Albert Koehler writes “Prince George has plenty to gain pursuing hydrogen development,” while Dick Martin wants to know why the concession is closed at the Kin arenas so often.
Humane Society seeks foster pet caregivers over Christmas season.
Mining CEO seeks partner for Cariboo gold project ‘beachhead’ in B.C.
Learning accordion ahead of the PG Conservatory of Music’s Christmas Concert.
Today’s song:
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