RCMP seek assistance to identify human remains found in RM of Moose Jaw

Following an earlier announcement by the Moose Jaw RCMP regarding human remains found in the RM of Moose Jaw on April 28, the RCMP’s Historical Case Unit is now asking the public for help identifying the individual who was found dead in a rural wooded area northeast of Moose Jaw.

Although the human remains were found within the RM of Moose Jaw, police are not disclosing the location as the investigation remains ongoing and public interference could be detrimental to solving the case.

What can be disclosed, however, is that the body was found in a rural area outside of Moose Jaw city limits and is on a secluded site on private property.

The identity of the deceased remains unknown, and police suspect they could be from anywhere in Canada as the location is near rail tracks and within reasonable walking distance from the Trans-Canada Highway. Current evidence suggests that the deceased individual is male – however, this will require DNA testing to confirm.

The investigation is still in its early stages, but police continue to assert that the death doesn’t appear to be suspicious and there’s no evidence of foul play. Much of this assertion is linked to the nature of the site, which is set up like a campsite and includes a tarp, sleeping bag, and gear characteristic of the scenario.

“What I can say is that somebody went there, (it) looks like they were camping there, and they died there,” explained Cpl. Craig Park with the Historical Case Unit.

The human remains and equipment were originally found by the landowner who was, according to police, conducting repairs on a barbed-wire fence on his property.

“(This is) not an area that was attended daily… It’s kind of a rural area,” Const. Brendan Sanford, a second member of the Historical Case Unit explained.

The site was heavily overgrown with bushes when police arrived, and only a few camping items could be discerned among the thick brush. To conduct their investigation, members of the RCMP cleared the site to provide access and locate buried or semi-buried items.

Initially following the call on April 28, the Major Crimes Unit of the RCMP was deployed to make sure the death was not criminal in nature, and when foul play was ruled out, the matter was re-assigned to the Historical Case Unit.

Police said the human remains discovered so far are limited in scope and entail skeletal remains including teeth.

The investigation has also suggested that the remains are 10 – 12 years old and articles of clothing found on scene are brittle and indicative of fabric that has been exposed to the elements for that amount of time.

One piece of evidence confirming this timeframe is a tube of toothpaste with an expiry date of 2013. After calling the manufacturer to confirm details, the product would have been manufactured in 2012 – indicating the deceased could not have been there prior to this date.

As the investigation is still in its early stages, DNA samples have not yet been submitted for laboratory testing, but are expected to be sent in over the next few days.

The investigation will continue until police are able to determine the identity of the deceased individual, and there’s currently no indication of how long the process will take. As the investigation is non-criminal in nature, police are employing a methodical, archaeological-type of approach and have included a wide-area search, drones, and specialized police dogs are scheduled to arrive as soon as they’re available.

“We’ll exhaust every effort we can to try and… bring closure to (the family),” Cpl. Park confirmed.

Any information regarding missing persons or recognition of some of the fabric located at the scene could be crucial to the investigation and could help bring closure to the family of the missing individual. Even if you haven’t spoken with an estranged family member or old friend in several years, Cpl. Park said it’s a good idea to contact the RCMP to be certain.

“There’s nobody at blame here,” Cpl. Park clarified. “It’s not ‘Who done it;’ it’s ‘Who is it?’

“We sometimes investigate to bring closure to a family and that’s what this is,” he continued. “At the end of the day, somebody’s loved one is missing, and they probably don’t know where they are. We’d like to give them some answers to that.”

If you have any information that could lead to the discovery of the deceased individual’s identity, you are asked to promptly contact the Moose Jaw RCMP at 306-691-4670.

You can also submit an anonymous tip by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at SaskCrimeStoppers.com.