The Meadow Lake community continues to mourn the loss of a 34-year-old woman who was the victim of a murder-suicide on Monday.
Police say the incident occurred outside a trailer in the Lions Park campground and the victim was from nearby Flying Dust First Nation.
According to Mounties, a 34-year-old male from the Thunderchild First Nation killed the female in a firearms-related incident before killing himself.
The incident was also domestic in nature, Meadow Lake RCMP say.
Sheila Mirasty is the manager of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council’s Waskoosis Safe Shelter.
She said the community is taking the tragedy hard but pulling together at the same time.
“I come from Flying Dust and we come together and support one and other,” Mirasty said. “So, I know Flying Dust at the health department there on the reserve they have a lot of staff. A lot of them are there for the family providing that support as well as Meadow Lake Tribal Council.”
According to media reports, the victim of the homicide was Charlene Graham – a teacher and mother of two.
These reports also say the perpetrator was her estranged husband Delane Graham, also a teacher.
Mirasty said safe shelters, such as Waskoosis, offer a variety of services to victims of domestic abuse but unfortunately many women often don’t reach out because of fear and other factors.
“Sometimes they feel they have caused the problems in their relationship or made it fail. Sometimes they’re isolated from their support systems by their abusive partner. They can’t escape because there’s children involved. Maybe they have no other income. Their husband is their main source of income…”
In a response to a request for more information about the events leading up to Monday’s incident, Saskatchewan RCMP issued the following emailed statement:
“At 1:00 a.m. August 26, 2021, Meadow Lake RCMP received a report from Flying Dust First Nation Security advising they received a call from someone worried about possible harassment of the 34-year-old female. RCMP officers responded to Flying Dust First Nation at 1:06 a.m. where they located an abandoned truck belonging to the 34-year-old female and male. Officers conducted a search of the immediate area for the driver and did not locate anyone. Investigation could not confirm who was driving the vehicle prior to it being abandoned.
The truck was blocking the entrance to a residence and a tow truck was called to remove it. Inside the truck officers located an empty firearm case. They then located an unloaded, non-restricted firearm in the truck and seized it for safety reasons. No ammunition was located inside the truck.
It was determined neither the 34-year-old male and female had a valid Possession and Acquisition License.
As officers could not confirm the owner of the firearm located in the abandoned vehicle, it remains in police custody.
At 9:30 a.m. August 26, Meadow Lake RCMP received a phone call from the 34-year-old female and another individual seeking information on applying for a peace bond (restraining order). Information about the process was provided by a police officer. A request for formal statements to police was declined. The officer discussed safety measures and encouraged the two individuals to call police back should they wish to proceed with applying for a peace bond.
At 2:10 p.m. August 30, Meadow Lake RCMP received a request for a wellness check for the 34-year-old female from an individual who was concerned she had not returned to work after lunch. The individual reported to police the female was thought to have left her workplace with the 34-year-old male. At no time during this report was Meadow Lake Detachment advised the female was at the Lions Park Campground.
Once they completed taking the report from the individual, the responding officer immediately left the Meadow Lake Detachment at approximately 2:30 p.m. The responding officers called the 34-year-old female’s cell phone three times, but all calls went unanswered.
It was at 2:44 p.m. August 30 when Meadow Lake RCMP received multiple reports of a firearm discharged at the Lions Park campground.
For the past several years, the Saskatchewan RCMP Criminal Operations Office has mandated reviews of serious and fatal domestic-related incidents. As this incident is considered as such, a quality-assurance review will take place involving the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Domestic Violence Coordinator, which includes examining whether there were any previous police complaints or interactions related to the involved individuals. The findings of these reviews are separate from any detachment or Major Crime Unit investigation, are not public, and ensures any related incidents comply with divisional policy.”
The Waskoosis Safe Shelter has been open since 1992.
The shelter provides a number of services to women experiencing domestic abuse.
These services include six bedrooms with a total of 21 shelter beds.
However, Mirasty says Waskoosis is currently only offering this service at half capacity because of COVID-19.
The safe shelter can be reached at 306-236-5570.
The 24-hour Saskatchewan Abused Women’s Crisis Line can also be contacted at 1-888-338-0880.
(PHOTO: Charlene Graham. Photo courtesy Charlene Graham Facebook page.)