Assistant commissioner Rhonda Blackmore. (Photo Courtesy Canadian Press)

By paNOW Staff

James Smith Investigation

RCMP ask for patience in Sanderson case

Sep 15, 2022 | 11:39 AM

Saskatchewan RCMP are asking for public patience as they continue to investigate how Myles Sanderson died. Sanderson and his brother Damien are suspected of killing 11 people in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon almost two weeks ago. Both are now dead.

“I ask you all to remember this is not a TV drama where we will have all of the answers by the end of the episode,” said assistant commissioner Rhonda Blackmore in an emailed statement this morning.

Damien Sanderson would have been facing at least one first-degree murder charge while his brother Myles, had been charged with three counts before they died. Other charges were not laid after the brothers died.

Myles died shortly after being arrested by RCMP near Rosthern, Sask. four days after the killing spree. At the time, the RCMP said that he “went into medical distress” and then died.

Damien was found dead of ‘not self-inflicted wounds’ on James Smith with speculation that he was killed by his brother.

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Blackmore acknowledged there have been public questions about the circumstances surrounding Myles’ death.

“I know some have taken issue with the fact that at our press conference- hours after the arrest and death of Myles Sanderson – that I did not have answers as to how he died,” she said.

“When I gave my statement and answered questions, we did not know– and still do not know – the cause of death for Myles Sanderson, and to speculate would be irresponsible and undermine the independent investigation being conducted by Saskatoon Police Service and the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team.”

As is the case with custodial deaths, another police force– in this case Saskatoon– has been assigned the job of investigating the circumstances of the death. The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team is also involved.

“Independent oversight of police actions is critical to public trust and confidence in the actions of police officers. This is exactly the reason why I was limited in what I could say when I spoke with the media on September 7. I am confident both investigating bodies understand the public interest in this case and will be working to release information as soon as they are able,” said Blackmore.

The Major Crimes Unit is still working on piecing together the available information on the spree, which started in the early morning hours and hospitalized 18 along with leading the 11 deaths.

Families of the victims will receive the information before it is made public.