With positive identification of human remains still pending, family of missing Saskatoon woman thanks search team
The family of Megan Gallagher said Monday morning marked their 43rd trip to court since she was reported missing in September 2020. It was the first such court appearance since human remains were found during a search for the missing 30-year-old woman.
Jessica Sutherland was appearing, she is charged with offering an indignity to human remains in Gallagher's disappearance.
On Thursday, the search for Gallagher ended when human remains were found in the South Saskatchewan River near St. Louis, Saskatchewan, where Saskatoon Police say they had planned a four-day search effort.
“I want to thank the 50-plus searchers that were out helping with the search,” said Brian Gallagher, her father
“They were amazing, they were extremely respectful. They joined in ceremony and prayer, they laid tobacco down, and after about five and a half hours, they had some results for us.”
Gallagher said an autopsy will be performed on Wednesday and DNA testing should be completed by mid-October to determine if they are his daughter's remains.
Police began treating Gallagher's disappearance as a homicide in January 2021.
The arrest of 34-year-old Robin Tyler John on Thursday brought the total number of people charged in connection with Gallagher's presumed death to eight.
John is charged with unlawful confinement and aggravated assault. Others accused in Gallagher's presumed death are charged with offering an indignity to human remains and first-degree murder.
“Eight people so far. Four to dispose of her remains. Two to unlawfully confine her and assault her. Two to commit murder. And more to come,” said Gallagher.
Saskatoon Police Service has said there could be more arrests in connection with the investigation.
Cheyann Peeteetuce and Robert Thomas, both charged with first-degree murder in Gallagher's presumed death, will be in court on Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.