NEW PROBE SOUGHT
Family suspects foul play
The last time Gary Waskewitch saw his older brother Glenn, they exchanged goodbyes as Glenn headed out for the day.
His body was found four days later in a wooded area on Onion Lake Cree Nation. It had been decapitated, and his family believes he met with foul play.
The two brothers had plans to attend a cultural camp on the evening of Aug. 15. Glenn, 54, was an avid hunter and outdoorsman at Onion Lake Cree Nation who wanted to pass along his knowledge of the outdoors to younger band members, teaching them things like how to prepare wild meat.
“For some reason, he never showed up,” Gary said.
After days of not hearing from him, the family contacted RCMP. Glenn’s remains were found on Aug. 19, but his skull was missing and has not been found, Gary said.
Glenn is believed to have died the day Gary last saw him.
On Wednesday, his family, supported by leaders from the Onion Lake Cree Nation and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, held a news conference in Saskatoon to call on the RCMP to reopen its investigation, which concluded that Glenn died of suicide by hanging, based on a coroner’s report.
The coroner concluded that Glenn’s skull and cervical spine were removed by wildlife.
Family members believe the RCMP investigation was closed too soon. They don’t believe evidence left on Glenn’s body is consistent with wildlife predation and believe additional evidence — which they did not disclose at the news conference — does not indicate a self-inflicted injury.
The RCMP has not reopened its investigation, but is reviewing the case for errors or other procedural issues.
Onion Lake Chief Henry Lewis said there are still unanswered questions about Glenn’s death.
“The families believe the investigation was shortchanged, called off too quick,” he said. “On behalf of the family, we’re requesting an autopsy and a thorough investigation, reopen the case.”
Glenn’s funeral was held on Aug. 25 in Onion Lake. His remains would have to be exhumed for an autopsy.
Lewis said searches are ongoing to find the remains that are still missing.
He feels the community has a good working relationship with the RCMP, but in this case, “they didn’t do enough, period,” he said.
Glenn’s cousin, Grant Whitstone, held his aunt Marjorie Waskewitch — Glenn’s mother — close as he addressed the media.
“What we can tell you is that the lack of participation from the RCMP and how they prematurely closed the case without, I guess, in our minds, the findings of what was in the area where Mr. Waskewitch was found,” he said.
RCMP promised family members an investigation report, which they haven’t received, he added.
Marjorie’s voice wavered as she read from a prepared statement.
“The night my son was found deceased, we asked the coroner at the site before my son’s body was removed, if we could have an autopsy. The answer was ‘No,’ that there was no need,” she read, adding that she doesn’t feel the RCMP did its due diligence.
“There are many nights that I’m not able to sleep and when I do, the first thing I think about ... when I wake up is will we get new information today. After two months of no contact from RCMP, they told us that they closed the file and will be destroying the evidence,” she said.
“All I want is peace for my son and family.”
RCMP spokesman Cpl. Rob King said the investigation is under review and RCMP are willing to reopen the case if there is new evidence, but he is not aware of any new evidence.
King said the RCMP generally don’t provide full investigation files to families, but do provide a synopsis. He wasn’t able to say whether the Waskewitch family has been provided that synopsis.
“Any type of death investigation is never closed if anything new can be brought about,” he said.
In an email, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the Saskatchewan Coroners Service is aware of the family’s concerns and is reviewing their request.
“The Chief Coroner will be speaking to the family in the near future,” the email stated.
Gary Waskewitch said he hopes a reopened investigation will bring some closure and more evidence will come out.
“It’s been very hard for us, but more so for my mom — got to stay strong for her and be there for her.”
The families believe the investigation was shortchanged, called off too quick . ... we’re requesting an autopsy and a thorough investigation.