Highway of Tears

B.C.'s top cop acknowledges there may be a serial killer in northern B.C.

DIRK MEISSNER Wed Mar 1, 1:01 AM ET

VICTORIA (CP) - British Columbia's top cop acknowledges some of the killings along the so-called Highway of Tears may show signs of a serial killer, though RCMP haven't found much evidence.

"There does not appear to be much evidence to support that (serial killer) conclusion at this point. Perhaps one or two cases, you know, could have some aspects of a serial killer at work to them. But again, precious little evidence to support that overall theory," Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, John Les, said in an interview.

The RCMP have been careful to sidestep any discussion of a serial killer at work along Highway 16, where nine young women - eight of them aboriginal - have disappeared or been killed since 1990.

When pressed if this means there might be a serial killer on the loose in northern British Columbia, Les responded: "Don't put words in my mouth.

"We always, and I'm sure the police will tell you this too, have to keep an open mind to all possibilities."

RCMP spokesman Sgt. John Ward declined to comment on Les's statement.

He stated again that there's nothing to indicate a serial killer at work.

"But, and this is a very big but, we always investigate with a very open mind. There may very well be information down the road that shows that."

Twenty-two officers have been working on the case of Aielah Saric-Auger, 14, after her body was found outside Prince George earlier this month. Police have said her death may not be connected to the highway cases.

Another 15 officers have been working on investigations into the disappearances or deaths of eight other women.

Missing or found dead along the highway since 1990 are Saric-Auger, 14, Tamara Chipman, 22, Lana Derrick, 19, Ramona Wilson, 15, Delphine Nikal, 15, Roxanna Thiara, 15, Aleisha Germaine, 15, Nicole Hoar, 25 and Deena Braem, 17. Only Hoar is non-native.

The cases involve women in Smithers, Burns Lake, Prince George, Terrace and Prince Rupert.

Work includes a detailed review of all files for possible linkages between evidence already obtained in each case, said a statement released early Tuesday by Les's ministry.

"These tragic deaths have shocked and saddened people across the province," Les said.

"A targeted police team will help ensure that we have the resources and tools to find out what happened to these women so that justice is done and the communities can start to heal."

Les said more officers may also be added to the investigation., but he said police have yet to suggest forming a task force to investigate the deaths and disappearances.

"I haven't had any suggestion made to me that that would be useful at this point in time," he said.

"I think the RCMP are doing good work. Obviously these are very difficult cases."
Rena Zatorski, a councillor with the Lheidli T'enneh Nation in Prince George, welcomed the possible addition of more police officers to the case, but she said such a response has been a long time coming.

"There still is an element of frustration and anger in the communities here. Part of that anger and frustration is because the government has taken so long and part of it stems from not fully understanding what the RCMP is doing or have done," Zatorski said.

There's also a feeling the issue hasn't been taken seriously enough because most of the missing and murdered women are aboriginal, she said.

"Aboriginal women seem to have become the aboriginal minority and therefore they've become prey."

On Wednesday, community leaders will meet to set a date for a symposium in March to discuss ways to deal with the case, Zatorski said.

Part of the problem they'll discuss is the disconnect between aboriginal youth, who tend to choose dangerous lifestyles, and the larger community, she said.

"Because this is happening within our aboriginal communities, our aboriginal youth, it's up to the aboriginal leadership and communities themselves to deal with these issues."

Response to the symposium from various organizations, including women's groups, the University of Northern B.C. and other First Nations groups, has been overwhelming, Zatorski said.

Les said the government will match funds pledged for the symposium.

He will also attend the symposium, where the RCMP are expected to outline the progress of their various investigations.