SASKATOON – Update: The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) announced that the remains of missing woman Mackenzie Lee Trottier have been found in the city's landfill.
Her identity was confirmed by dental records and forensic analysis. The search for her remains lasted 93 days, with 44 searchers involved. Trottier's remains were fully recovered on Aug. 1, after the search of a calculated area of the landfill. SPS Chief Cameron McBride offered condolences to her family at a media conference Tuesday morning.
Saskatoon police said in while an autopsy done on Aug. 1, the cause of Trottier's death is undetermined at this time. The Saskatchewan Coroner's Service continues to investigate.
Police added that a suspect in Trottier's disappearance was identified, but before investigators could obtain the evidence needed to prove the person's involvement, the suspect died in an unrelated incident. Evidence police recovered from electronic devices belonging to this suspect supported their search of the landfill.
The police also noted that the man police previously released photos of from video surveillance is not the deceased suspect, and is not believed to be involved in Trottier's death.
Police also noted that the no-fly zone airspace that was put in place while police and "purpose-trained" dogs took part in the search of the landfill has now been lifted.
- With files from Jon Perez
Original post: Police are renewing their request for information on Mackenzie Lee Trottier’s disappearance.
Mackenzie disappeared three years ago in Saskatoon at the age of 22. Her family last saw her when she left their home in the 300 block of Trent Crescent of Saskatoon’s College Park East neighbourhood Dec. 21, 2020.
Saskatoon police have released video surveillance and pursued several leads but have come up empty handed. They have also made a documentary with the Trottier family in an effort to raise awareness.
Last year, Joshua Grella, coordinator/public relations for Saskatoon Police Service told SASKTODAY.ca that there were several theories regarding Mackenzie’s disappearance.
“All theories continue to be examined until such time that evidence can either prove or disprove a theory.”
SPS hasn’t announced they are investigating Mackenzie’s disappearance as a homicide but that is being considered.
“Homicide is one theory but the investigative scope is not limited to only that,” said Grella. "I’m limited in the details that I can share as this is an ongoing investigation.
“Mackenzie continues to be an active missing person with the Saskatoon Police Service," he added.
Mackenzie last accessed her cell phone Dec. 24, 2020, and didn’t show up as planned for Christmas with her family.
“The determination of homicide would involve more than cell phone and banking records, however, those would certainly be considered in any missing persons investigation and have been in Mackenzie’s,” said Grella. “In brief, the disappearance of Mackenzie Trottier has not been narrowed enough to only consider homicide as a theory.”
In such files, Grella said that the missing person might be: Missing by choice and doesn’t want to be found; taken by someone either known or unknown to them, which could involve human trafficking; or murdered and disposed of, resulting in a homicide.
Mackenzie being the victim of human trafficking is a theory, said Grella, but he added, “evidence does not suggest it as probable.”
In December 2021, Calgary Police Service issued a media release saying they had received information that a person matching Mackenzie’s description was seen multiple times in downtown Calgary. Grella said this tip was “thoroughly investigated and confirmed to be unfounded.”
In February 2021, SPS Major Crime Section released photos and a sketch of a male they believed may have information about Mackenzie’s disappearance. The man is described as approximately 5-foot-3 inches.
Investigators have pursued leads relating to the company-branded clothing being worn by the man and found no relevant connection.
"The search for Mackenzie will not stop until she is located," say Saskatoon police.
Mackenzie’s family and friends have held rallies and poster campaigns in cities from British Columbia to Manitoba and her missing posters have also been posted in Ontario. Her family has offered a $20,000 reward for information that would help find her. They have also created a Facebook group and a website.
Mackenzie is 5-feet and 145 pounds. She has a fair complexion, blonde, medium length hair, and green eyes. She has broken front teeth and a tattoo on her right ankle. Saskatoon Police Service say that Mackenzie was in a vulnerable state when she went missing.
If you have any information on the male in the sketch and photo, or the location of Mackenzie Trottier, please contact the Saskatoon police at 306-975-8300, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online. In an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.
- With files from Lisa Joy
