A pilot project aimed at clearing several missing persons cases under investigation by the RCMP Major Crime North - Saskatoon Historical Case Unit (HCU) was launched this summer.
Since 2000, Saskatoon HCU has conducted air searches of the South Saskatchewan River or other bodies of water that are believed to contain missing human remains.
These searches have not yielded any evidence of human remains. HCU reviewed cases and considered available information on where bodies have been found in the past. Investigators decided a search of the South Saskatchewan River would be more effective if conducted by boat, rather than from the air.
RCMP Saskatoon HCU partnered with the Canadian Forces North Saskatchewan Regiment - Saskatchewan Infantry Tactical Group - 38 CER/46 Engineer Squadron. SITG provided two Zodiac vessels and related equipment.
June 25 to 27, Saskatoon HCU investigators searched the South Saskatchewan River from Saskatoon and continued 248 kilometres north to a location north of the forks where the North Saskatchewan River and South Saskatchewan River meet.
The investigators camped along the river and worked extended hours to cover this distance. The search operations were slightly hampered by the significant thunderstorms and tornado warnings that were in effect during this period, but the geographic objective was met, according to a press release.
No human remains were located. One piece of clothing was found and is being investigated. Numerous other items were examined in the field and determined to not be connected to the investigations. These items included dead animals, life preservers, inflatable beach toys, old tires and miscellaneous items.
In December 2005 a man jumped into the South Saskatchewan River within the city of Saskatoon. His remains were located the following April in the South Saskatchewan River near Nipawin. Anyone using these waterways are asked to report any sightings of suspected human remains immediately to the RCMP.
Two of the missing persons the unit is searching for are people who accidently drowned while swimming in the South Saskatchewan River during the summer months.
"This river has dangerously strong currents and recreational swimming is discouraged," says Cpl. K. Simon Pillay in the press release.
Swimming in the river within the city limits of Saskatoon is prohibited by municipal bylaw.
Currently, there are five people believed to have died in the South Saskatchewan River and whose remains have not been recovered: Hamza Alsharief, last seen Dec. 14, 2011; Marc April, last seen Jan. 31, 1987; Gordon Keith Harvey, last seen July 24, 2008; Peter James McKay, last seen Dec. 31, 1986; Preston Wayne Waldner, last seen July 23, 2006.
All of these missing people are featured on the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police website located at: http:/www.sacp.ca/.
"Saskatoon HCU encourage everyone to look at the SACP website and familiarize yourself with missing people from your communities, " says Pillay.
The RCMP Major Crime North - Saskatoon Historical Case Unit (HCU) is based in Saskatoon. The unit is responsible for the investigation of unsolved homicides, long term missing persons and found unidentified human remains occurring within that jurisdiction. The area of responsibility extends from Saskatoon to the Northwest Territories border.
