NORTH BATTLEFORD – A man accused of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of Tiki Laverdiere of Edmonton faces additional charges.
The attendance of 25-year-old Jesse Sangster from Edmonton was waived in North Battleford Provincial Court Oct. 15. Crown Prosecutor Brittany Goodman asked the court that the matter be adjourned to Nov. 26 when Sangster is expected to appear by CCTV from the correctional centre.
The new charges against Sangster include possession of property, a tractor, obtained by crime over $5,000, and failing to comply with a release order. The charges stem from the time frame of Laverdiere’s murder. The details are under a publication ban.
Sangster is one of 10 people charged with Laverdiere’s murder. Sangster was arrested on July 29, 2019, in Edmonton.
Sangster, Nicole Cook, Soaring Eagle Whitstone, Shayla Orthner, and Danita Thomas were charged with kidnapping, first-degree murder, improperly interfering with a body and theft of a vehicle.
Nikita Sandra Cook and Charles St. Savard were charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.
Brent Checkosis, Mavis Takakenew and Samuel Takakenew were charged with accessory to murder after the fact.
Laverdiere was in Saskatchewan April 2019 for the funeral of 20-year-old Tristen Cook-Buckle on Thunderchild First Nation. His body was found burned in a vehicle near Vegreville, Alta., on April 5, 2019. Edmonton Police believe Cook-Buckle was murdered behind a house near 92 St. and 110 Ave. in Edmonton.
Trials of accused
A non-jury trial for Nikita Cook was held in Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench in September and October of 2021. Justice Brenda Hildebrandt ordered a ban on publication on everything from Cook’s four-and-half-week trial except the results. She reserved her verdict until Oct. 19.
In 2020, Brent Checkosis was sentenced to seven years in prison. Mavis Takakenew was given 18 months and she has since been released from prison.
In January 2021, St. Savard was sentenced to 14 months and 20 days after pleading guilty to unlawful confinement. The charge of first-degree murder was withdrawn.
There is a ban on publication of all details from all of the accused's preliminary hearings, trials, and sentencing hearings until all of the accused have been sentenced.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Chris Browne and Charlotte Morden are prosecuting the cases against all of the accused charged with Laverdiere’s murder.
The charges against the remaining accused haven’t been proven in court.
Timeline
- April 27, 2019: Laverdiere attended Cook-Buckle’s funeral on Thunderchild First Nation.
- April 30, 2019: Laverdiere posted on Facebook: “Anyone going to Edmonton from north battleford? Inbox me plz!”
- May 12, 2019: Laverdiere was reported missing to Battlefords RCMP.
- June 10, 2019: The RCMP said Laverdiere’s disappearance was the result of foul play.
- July 11, 2019: A police dog finds human remains in a rural area outside of North Battleford while RCMP were conducting a ground search.
- July 17, 2019: RCMP announced the remains were that of Laverdiere.
