PIERCELAND – Update May 12: Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes continue to investigate the circumstances of the death of Dominic Kahpoonapit, whose remains were found near a home on Big Island Lake Cree Territory.
RCMP say Dominic’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed and investigators are working to put together a timeline of his activities in the days leading to his disappearance.
In an update issued May 12, RCMP said it has been determined that Kahpoonapitwas in contact with Pierceland RCMP in the days prior to him being reported as missing. He was not arrested or charged during this interaction, nor was he in police custody. As such, RCMP say they are unable to provide specifics of this encounter at this time, because the circumstances are still under investigation.
Because of this police interaction, Saskatchewan RCMP proactively notified the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT). SIRT will monitor the aspects of the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes investigation that relate to the interaction between Dominic and the Pierceland RCMP.
Saskatchewan RCMP is disclosing this as part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, states the update.
Update: As a result of the forensic autopsy completed on May 9, Saskatchewan RCMP have been able to positively identify the human remains as belonging to Dominic Kahpoonapit.
Since Dominic was reported missing on Dec. 13, 2022, Pierceland RCMP have been working diligently to locate him. Dominic was a 20-year-old male from Big Island Lake Cree Territory. Dominic’s family has been notified and Victim Services has been engaged to provide support.
Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. Pierceland RCMP, with assistance from the North Battleford RCMP Forensic Identification Section, and the Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers (SARSAV) continue to be engaged to support with additional ground searches.
Original story: Human remains have been found near a home on Big Island Lake Cree Territory.
On May 3, at approximately 9:40 p.m., Pierceland RCMP received the report of human remains located near a residence on the Big Island Lake Cree Territory. Pierceland and Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes are investigating.
With assistance from the North Battleford RCMP Forensic Identification Services, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, local Search and Rescue Teams, and the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, the human remains were recovered for further investigation. An RCMP Forensic Anthropologist has been engaged to assist with identifying the remains. A forensic autopsy has been scheduled to take place at a later date.
Officers initiated a ground search of the area and did not locate any additional remains. There will be an increased police presence in the area as the investigation continues.
Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes have notified families of missing persons in the area of the discovery. Police say that as the investigation is still in its preliminary stages, there is no further information we can provide at this time.
Story corrected to say Dec. 13, 2022
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