B.C. police watchdog investigating death of Saik’uz First Nation woman

In November, after Quaw's remains were found, her mother Pam Heron described her daughter as "loved cared for deeply by her family, friends and community."

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British Columbia’s civilian-led police watchdog has launched an investigation into the death of a beloved Saik’uz First Nation woman whose remains were found, tragically, in a wooded area of the community last month.

Chelsea Quaw, 29, was last seen leaving her father’s house on the nation near Vanderhoof, B.C. on Oct. 11 — the same day Vanderhoof RCMP were called to conduct a wellness check on Quaw at a private home.

According to B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office (IIO), Mounties took steps to find the woman, but were unsuccessful.

Quaw was found dead on Nov. 5.

Later that month, the watchdog received several concerns from the public about the police response to the request for a wellness check. The IIO doesn’t use victims’ names in its releases in order to protect the privacy.

“What we would look at in a case like this is, was there a failure of police to take the appropriate steps in the circumstances that they were facing?” explained Ronald MacDonald, IIO chief civilian director.

“The police have a duty at law to protect human life, so if they’re given information about a situation where someone’s life may be impacted or in danger, they have a duty to take reasonable steps to do what they can to help that person.”