Saskatoon police locate human remains on first day of search for missing woman
Saskatoon police may have located the remains of a Saskatoon woman who has been missing since September 2020.
According to police, human remains were recovered around 2:30 p.m. Thursday near St. Louis, Sask. during the first day of the search for Megan Gallagher.
The remains were found by a search team on the South Saskatchewan River, Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) said in a news release.
The intensive search of the area was expected to last up to four days. The search included civilian search and rescue personnel and specially-trained police dog teams from Calgary.
The SPS forensic identification unit will be processing the scene, and will perform testing to determine the person's idenity.
Eight people are accused in connection with Gallagher's death, with charges ranging from first-degree murder to unlawful confinement and offering an indignity to human remains.
Police first began investigating her disappearance as a homicide in January 2021.
During a news conference Thursday morning, SPS Staff Sgt. Grant Obst said there were "two large specific areas of the river" that the search crews planned to focus on.
“The working theory in the investigation has indicated that the murder occurred in Saskatoon, the disposal of the body occurred in the area that we're going to be searching," Obst said.
Gallagher’s family planned to be on site for the duration of the search and said they’re grateful for the efforts of so many.
“In whatever form it has to be, if Megan can come home, that's an important piece,” Megan's dad Brian told CTV News before the announcement of the discovery.
"If it is true that she was dropped off the bridge or disposed of in the river here, she's with her ancestors. That's the only solace that I can get," he said.
Obst says the investigation has led police to believe gang activity was a factor, but called Gallagher’s involvement in the gang world “questionable."
Gallagher’s family says Megan knew people in gangs, but was not in a gang.
“The people charged are gang related. Megan is not gang affiliated,” Brian Gallagher said.
The discovery of the human remains came the same day as police announced an eighth person was accused in Gallagher's death.
Robin Tyler John, 34, was arrested on Thursday at a correctional facility on the Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation, according to police.
He had been serving a sentence unrelated to the homicide, SPS said.
Correction
An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated police had confirmed the identity of the remains.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.