Skip to main content

Saskatoon couple killed in stabbing was expecting a child, family member says

Kira Opoonechaw, and Phoenix Checkosis are shown in image shared on social media. (Facebook/Tammy Opoonechaw) Kira Opoonechaw, and Phoenix Checkosis are shown in image shared on social media. (Facebook/Tammy Opoonechaw)
Share

A 20-year-old man now faces an additional murder charge after another person died from their injuries in hospital.

Around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to a home in the 400 block of Avenue B.

When officers arrived they found Kira Opoonechaw, 19, and Phoenix Checkosis, 21, both suffering from life-threatening stab wounds.

Opoonechaw died in hospital on Wednesday and Checkosis succumbed to his injuries a day later.

The two were in a relationship and expecting a child, a close family member told CTV News.

On Thursday, Sebastian Sanderson was charged with second-degree murder in Opoonechaw's death.

Sanderson faced an attempted murder charge in connection to Checkosis' injuries.

In light of Checkosis' death, police have upgraded the charge to second-degree murder.

Sanderson was known to the couple and was arrested near the scene, according to police.

--With files from Nicole Di Donato

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks

Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.

Stay Connected