'She’s worth it': Family continues to seek answers in Saskatoon woman's death 60 years ago
Wednesday marks 60 years since the murder of Saskatoon woman Alexandra Wiwcharuk — and her family still hopes to find her killer.
“I believe it's worth it and she’s worth it and making sure that people do the right thing. People who know something. Because believe me, there are people out there who know and some of them, we know that you know,” Patty Storie told CTV News.
Storie, the niece of Wiwcharuk, was three when the 23-year-old nurse was killed.
She remembers her family’s devastation when the body was found beaten, sexually assaulted and buried in a shallow grave near the river. Storie, now living in Texas, has joined her two sisters living in different cities to keep the search alive for those responsible.
Storie is committed to the quest for justice because her grandmother and Wiwcharuk's mother, Anna Wiwcharuk, died in 1998 without any closure, which she says adds to the family’s heartache.
Storie says the family realizes the murderer may be old or even dead, but they still feel it’s important for the person to be exposed to the public and their family.
“They need to know that their loved one did this to Alexandra Wiwcharuk,” Storie said.
Each year on May 18, family and friends visit Wiwcharuk's gravesite at Woodlawn Cemetery for a memorial. Since the pandemic started, travel back to Saskatoon hasn’t been possible, but local friends Michelle Sanjenko and Jim Lucier have continued the tradition.
Saskatoon Police Service Staff Sgt. Grant Obst said they still get calls from the public with information about the death, but he can’t give any specifics about the case, which is still considered open.
“Just the fact that we’re at the anniversary date has generated at least two phone calls this morning from people who have seen this on the news,” Obst says.
Police face significant challenges with a case this old, but continue to look for clues that may solve it, he said.
“We know that many of the people that were involved or interviewed are no longer with us, but there may be somebody out there that has one little piece of information. We always hope that the bad guy is still alive and decide he doesn’t want to take this secret to his grave,” Obst said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.