New Yukon RCMP unit sparks hope for solving cold cases

Relatives of Allan Waugh who was killed in hisWhitehorse home four years ago saythey hope the RCMP will now be able to devote more time to his unsolved case.

"I feel like they haven't had timein recent years to be able to work on Dad's case, due to all the other homicides that have happened throughout the Yukon," said Waugh's daughter, Teresa Waugh.

"Communication with them has been good, it's just that we've been told that aseach homicide happens, all the RCMPneed to be pulled onto investigating, to get all the information right away."

The Yukon government announced this month it wouldprovideRCMPwith an additional $422,000 annually for the next three years, to establish a Historical Case Unit to investigate unsolved homicides and missing persons cases. Three new officers will be hired.

According to YukonRCMP, there have beenseveninvestigators working in the Major Crime Unit, but nonesolely dedicated toworking on historic cases.

• Yukon gives RCMP more money to solve homicide, missing persons cases

• Most Yukon murders remain unsolved for 2017

The Yukon government saysthere are still12 unsolved homicides that have happened in the territory since 2000.

Waugh's case is one of them. The 69-year-old manwas found dead in his home in the McIntyre subdivision on the morning ofMay 30, 2014. Police ruled it a homicide, and appealed to the community for any information.

Since then, Yukon has seen a rash of homicides many of them in the last year and so far only a few have led toarrests.

"It is a little frustrating knowing that we're not the only family going through this," Teresa Waugh said. "Each time we hear that there has been a homicide in the Yukon, it knocks us over a little."

'Extremely important,' says KwanlinDnchief

Doris Bill, chief of the Kwanlin Dn First Nation in Whitehorse, is also hopeful that the new RCMPunit will find some answers.

"This funding is extremely important for our community," she said. "KwanlinDn has been affected by a number of homicides ... There isn't a person in this community that hasn't been affected."

Whitehorse's most recent homicide involved a 25-year-oldKwanlin Dn First Nation citizen, Chelsey Tegan Bien, who was killed in a Riverdale apartment last week. On Thursday RCMPcharged Lynzee Harriott Silverfox with second-degree murder in relation to her death.

But there have been no arrests yetin connection with a double homicide last April in KwanlinDn'sMcIntyre subdivision.Sarah MacIntosh, 53, and Wendy Carlick, 51,were found dead in the same home.

Carlick'steenaged daughterAngel Carlickwas also killed, in 2007. Her case also remains unsolved.

"As time goes on, these cases haven'tbeen resolved, and it's weighing heavily on this community and on our citizens," Bill said.

"In the end, we all want the same thing:we want answers. It doesn't matter whether you're the minister of justice, the RCMP, or the families, or community members we all want answers, and we've waited a long time."

Bill is also hopeful that there are witnesses yet to come forward to police.

"I do believe there are people out there that have information on some of these cases. And we're urging these people to come forward with that information," she said.

"It doesn't matter how small that information is, it may lead to something.You justnever know."