More than a year after the RCMP started their investigation into the homicide of local teenager Chassidy Charlie, the investigation is continuing.
As reported in the Lakes District News edition of Feb. 2, 2011, Burns Lake RCMP were called to an Uncha Mountain Road home at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Jan 26. 2011 following the report of an unconscious girl at the home.
Upon their arrival, the Burns Lake RCMP determined the girl had passed away and noted the cause of her death to be under suspicious circumstances.
On Jan. 31, 2011 an autopsy to determine the 17 year old’s cause of death was carried out and subsequently a homicide investigation was launched.
Since then, RCMP have not released any further details about the investigation.
The girl’s mother Geraldine Charlie spoke with the media soon after her daughter was discovered.
Charlie said she found her daughter in their Uncha Mountain Road home. “Her face was burnt, half of her hair was gone and her cell phone is missing,” she said.
As reported in the Lakes District News edition of Feb. 9, 2011, RCMP concluded a full examination of the scene, with investigators releasing the property during the afternoon of Jan. 31, 2011.
Forensic specialists, North District Major Crime investigators and members of the Burns Lake RCMP were involved in the initial investigation.
RCMP North District Office media officer, Cst. Lesley Smith said to Lakes District News that the investigation into the homicide is still continuing, but she added that she could not release any further details about the case.
She said that despite the lack of details being publicly released, RCMP are still very active in the investigation.
“I understand that the family and the community want closure, but any information we release to the public could comprise the investigation,” she said.
According to Cst. Smith, homicide investigations are complex and she said it is not unusual for homicide cases, such as this one, to take a long time to complete.
“All I can say is that the investigation is ongoing and we just have to have faith in the process,” she said.
