Onion Lake family seeks answers in death ruled suicide

The Waskewitch family of the Onion Lake Cree Nation  has called for a full RCMP investigation into the death of their loved one.

The remains of Glenn Waskewitch, 54, were found in a wooded area near the First Nation, located 43 kilometres northeast of Lloydminster, on Aug. 19.

Onion Lake RCMP, the RCMP Major Crimes Unit North and the Provinical Coroner’s Service conducted a full investigation and determined the death was suicide by hanging.

Addressing the media on Wednseday, Waskewitch’s cousin Grant Whitstone questioned how thorough that investigation was.

“Parts of his body still haven’t been recovered,” he said, adding Waskewitch’s skull hasn’t been found.

Whitstone questioned how the RCMP could rule the investigation complete without finding all the pieces.

Marjorie Waskewitch (right) delivers a statement to media out front of TCU Place on Oct. 24, 2018 as alongside her nephew Glenn Whitstone (centre). (Bryn Levy/650 CKOM)

The family believed the evidence pointed to foul play.

“The RCMP didn’t do enough to use all their manpower and resources to support us,” said Waskewitch’s mom Marjorie, through her tears.

“There are many nights that I am not able to sleep and when I do, the first thing I think about when I wake up is, will we get new information today?”

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the RCMP said evidence at the scene where Waskewitch’s body was found was consistent with animal activity in the area.

Police determined the death was not suspicious.

In light of the family’s concerns though, police said they’ll take another look to make sure all aspects of the case were taken into consideration.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Bryn Levy.