NORTH BATTLEFORD – Battlefords RCMP are investigating a suspicious death after human remains were found on Feb. 5 outside a home on Red Pheasant Cree Nation.
The deceased has been identified as 44-year-old Candie Pritchard of Rabbit Lake. Investigators say they are releasing Pritchard’s name to help further their investigation.
The autopsy and continued police investigation has determined her death is suspicious No charges have been laid and the investigation remains ongoing.
An exhaustive search by RCMP Search and Rescue resulted in additional evidence associated to this investigation being located in a treed area along a road on Red Pheasant Cree Nation.
If anyone has information about where and/or when Candie Pritchard was last seen between Jan. 1 and Feb. 5, they are asked to contact Battlefords RCMP at 306-446-1720 or call 310-RCMP.
The public can also report information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 and they may be eligible for a monetary reward.
This Major Crimes investigation was supported by members from our Police Dog Services, Forensic Identification Services, RCMP Search and Rescue, Battlefords Detachment, Saskatchewan Coroners Service, among others.
More homicide investigations
This death is in addition to the other five homicide investigations RCMP are investigating already in 2024.
From Feb. 1 to Feb. 2, Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes were called to investigate homicides in North Battleford, Loon Lake, and Deschambault Lake. On Jan. 29 they were called to Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert a homicide. RCMP say charges are pending in another homicide in January.
On Feb. 1, at about 12:45 p.m., Loon Lake RCMP responded to a report of an injured person at a home on Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation. Officers found Dedrick Stick from the Island Lake First Nation (Ministikwan) injured. EMS pronounced him deceased at the scene. No arrests have been made.
On Feb. 2, at about 10:50 a.m., Deschambault Lake RCMP responded to a serious assault outside a home in Deschambault Lake. Jonathan Custer, 21, was found injured and taken to hospital where he died. Keiffer Robillard from Deschambault Lake was arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree murder.
On Feb. 2, at about 5:56 p.m., North Battleford RCMP responded to a shooting at a home on 93rd Street. Jordan Wright, 32, was shot and killed. No arrests have been made.
A week prior to these three murders, Prince Albert RCMP responded at about 10 p.m. on Jan. 29 to the murder of Rocky Meechance, 29. Six inmates were arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Three other inmates were charged with the assault of a second inmate, who was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Saskatchewan RCMP are also investigating a January death they believe is suspicious and say charges are pending after next of kin are notified.
Saskatoon Police Service is already dealing with its first homicide of 2024. They found a body inside a home in the 600 block of Lisgar Ave. on Feb. 3. They charged Chantal Lee McLaren, 32, with first-degree murder.
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