Homicide leaves family reeling
‘She would never hurt a fly,’ sister says as police investigate woman’s death
By all accounts, Ally Witchekan was a happy, caring woman who was dedicated to her job.
When the 28-year-old did not show up to work at the Fire Creek Gas and Grill on Wednesday morning, it was out of character because she had never been a no-show in nearly nine years of working there, her sister Tiffany Witchekan said.
Saskatoon police were summoned to Witchekan’s house in the 500 block of Geary Crescent in the Hampton Village neighbourhood, where they found her dead inside.
Her family has been trying to comprehend the loss.
“She was so perfect. I don’t understand why someone could take my sister away from us. She would never hurt a fly,” Tiffany wrote in a Facebook message.
Police are investigating Ally Witchekan’s death as a homicide.
Police are currently searching for 29-year-old Ivan ‘Roberto’ Martel, who police say is known to Witchekan and may be able to provide “valuable information” in the investigation.
Martel is described as standing five feet nine inches tall, weighing approximately 200 pounds.
He has brown eyes and a brushcut hairstyle with a mole on his left cheek and tattoos of a crown and a phrase written in Latin on his neck.
Tiffany described her sister as a hard-working woman who had lived in the Hampton Village neighbourhood for a few years.
Police tape blocked off the space between two houses on the block, while a police vehicle was stationed behind the house in the back lane.
Investigators located her vehicle, a grey 2017 Jeep Patriot, in the northwest area of the city late Thursday afternoon.
Tiffany said Ally cared deeply for her family and friends and had a positive impact on people she knew through work and outside of work. She never used drugs or alcohol, Tiffany added.
“If she wasn’t working she was spending time with her family and hanging out with friends. She had a great head on her shoulders and a beautiful home.”
Family and friends shared and posted condolences on social media Wednesday and Thursday.
Ashley Greyeyes wrote that “the world lost a beautiful soul today.” Khristen Graham wrote that Witchekan “left too early.”
Fire Creek, in a Facebook post on Wednesday night, said it was closing early for an emergency meeting. The manager declined to comment on Thursday.
A man who lived nearby said he recognized her from around the neighbourhood and they would exchange greetings when they saw each other.
Witchekan’s death is the third reported homicide in the city this year. Isaiah Brunton, 17, died on Feb. 17 from a gunshot wound he sustained two days earlier. No charges have been laid.
Terrance Paintednose, 41, was fatally stabbed Feb. 9 in the 300 block of Avenue R South. Tyrone James Morin, 22, is charged with second-degree murder, robbery and two counts of breach of probation.
Police are also investigating the fatal shooting of 42-year-old Dale Shatilla in a home in the 600 block of 33rd Street West.
Police consider his death suspicious.
Sixteen homicides were recorded in Saskatoon in 2019, the most the city has seen in one year.
A Saskatoon police spokeswoman described the investigation in Ally Witchekan’s death, as “very fluid.”
Tiffany Witchekan said she wants people who did not know Ally to remember her for her kindness.
“If they ever had the chance to meet her, they would see how sweet and caring she was, with a huge smile.”