Irshadgul News report,
In an emotional address, the RCMP in Duncan, B.C., about 60 kilometers north of Victoria, publicly apologized Friday to the family of 15-year-old Karsyn MacKenzie Seagull — miscommunication between police agencies resulted in misinformation being released That the death of the teenager was not being investigated as suspicious.
Seagull, who was from the Namgis nation and the Cowchan tribes, went missing in Duncan on May 14 while attending a local soccer tournament with his mother. She was found alive but emaciated the next day behind a Super 8 motel on the Trans Canada Highway and died a short time later.
The person who found her body told her family that she was under a wooden pallet and covered with twigs and garbage.
The RCMP initially released information saying that criminality was not suspected in the teenager’s death, but 24 hours later, released a new statement saying, “The circumstances surrounding her death are considered suspicious, and a criminal investigation is underway.” continues.”
RCMP said Thursday investigators were not ruling the death a homicide.
Addressing a rally of family, friends and mourners outside the Duncan RCMP attachment on Friday morning, Insp. North Couchion/Duncan RCMP Detachment Chief Chris Byers made it clear that this matter is a top priority.
“I can assure you that our investigators are doing everything they can. There has been some miscommunication which I fully acknowledge. It was misunderstood that we are not investigating. We It’s giving it everything we’ve had from the beginning, and we’re doing everything we can,” Bear said.
“I just want to assure the public that we are doing everything we can. The investigation was never closed. This was a miscommunication for which I apologize, and I apologize to the community and the family. This was a very That’s the big priority that we’re all doing.” that we can.”
Bear said the error was the result of miscommunication between the Duncan RCMP, the Island District RCMP and the media liaison.
Carsin’s mother, Mary Seaweed, said the Duncan RCMP also apologized to her directly over the phone on Friday morning.
“It made me feel good that my daughter’s case is a main priority, that she is not going to fall for bluff, that my daughter is not just a statistic,” she said.
“My daughter hasn’t rested for a week, and the outpouring of positive support has touched my soul.”
Adrian Sylvester, who organized the rally and asked police to speak to those gathered, said the initial release describing the case as suspicious sent shock waves through the community and raised concerns that the investigation was not being done properly. Precious time was wasted.
“Mother has suffered as much as she has. It took everyone completely by surprise… They were wasting time when they could have kept going and found more clues.”
Asked about the file at an unrelated media event in Nanaimo, Premier David Abbey said the province would ensure the Duncan RCMP is fully equipped to conduct the investigation.
“We’re trusting the RCMP to conduct a comprehensive investigation, you know, trusting them to take this seriously and fulfill their responsibilities, and I know they will,” he said.
“There is nobody in this province, especially not a police officer, who doesn’t take this tragic death of a 15-year-old seriously.”
A coroner’s investigation into the matter is ongoing.