(updated May 7, 2024, viewer warning, this story contains graphic content)
Last Friday, nearly five years after 25-year-old Tiki Laverdiere of Edmonton was reported missing and then later found dead in a rural area outside of North Battleford, the final court proceedings concluded from the last of the ten who were charged in connection to her murder.
In a news release from the Saskatchewan RCMP, the Laverdiere family says there is a huge hole in their lives where Tiki should be and the final sentencing doesn’t change that, although they thank everyone who worked to bring answers and hold those responsible accountable.
On May 12th of 2019, Battlefords RCMP were told that Tiki Laverdiere was missing, then on June 10th, the RCMP announced that her disappearance was the result of foul play and was being investigated as a homicide. A month later, human remains were located. Officer in Charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes, Inspector Ashley St. Germaine, says there was an extensive investigation with support from over 20 additional RCMP units and four partner agencies. It spanned two provinces, nine crime scenes and over 120 witnesses were interviewed.
In an Agreed Statement of Facts submitted during the trial of Mavis Takakenew in 2020, and under a publication ban until all accused had been tried, Tiki Laverdiere was confronted by Soaring Eagle Whitstone at a home in North Battleford and assaulted by multiple assailants. She is moved to another home on foot, bound and bloody, where she is continuously assaulted. She is moved to a third home where the beatings and torture in a basement continue until she is lit on fire while alive. Her throat is cut and upon her death she is moved, wrapped in a rug. Her body was dumped in a slough outside North Battleford where, after death, she is shot.
Inspector St. Germaine adds that every one of the approximately 100 officers felt the weight of the investigation immensely, dedicating their time and efforts to bring justice to Tiki’s family. Twenty-five-year-old Tiki Laverdiere of Edmonton travelled to the North Battleford area for the funeral of 20 year old Tristen Cook-Buckle.
The ten people charged and convicted:
-Jesse Sangster, guilty of second degree murder, sentenced to 25 years with no parole for 10 years
-Soaring Eagle Whitstone, guilty first degree murder for the benefit of a criminal organization, sentenced to life with no parole for 25 years
-Nikita Sandra Cook, guilty of first degree murder for the benefit of a criminal organization, sentenced to life with no parole for 25 years
-Nicole Cook, guilty of manslaughter, sentenced to life with no parole for 10 years
-Danita Thomas, guilty of manslaughter and interfering with human remains, sentenced to 12.5 years
-Brent Checkosis was sentenced to seven years on charges of accessory after the fact to murder
-Mavis Takakenew sentenced to 8 months for accessory after the fact to murder.
-Charles St. Savard was sentenced to just under 15 months for kidnapping with intent to unlawfully confine.
-Samuel Takakenew pleaded guilty to accessory to murder and was sentenced to time served.
-Shayla Orthner, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, sentenced to 10.5 years in prison
