A multi-day manhunt for the suspects, 31-year-old Damien Sanderson and his younger brother Myles Sanderson, 30, began Sunday after multiple reports of stabbings on the James Smith Cree Nation — about 200 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon — and in the nearby village of Weldon.
On Monday, RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore confirmed they had found the dead body of one of the suspects, Damien, on the James Smith Cree Nation with injuries not believed to be self-inflicted. RCMP say Miles’ brother is still at large.
Police have not identified a motive, but noted that some of the victims may have been targeted while others were attacked at random.
CTV News was able to confirm the identities of four of the 10 victims. See how friends and family remember the people they lost:
WES PETERSEN#
Wes Pettersen was killed Sunday morning at his home in the village of Weldon. Neighbors described him as a 77-year-old widower.
“He was just a wonderful man,” Doreen Lees of Weldon told Reuters.
He is remembered for his humor and kindness.
GLORIA IS BURNING#
Gloria Burns is remembered as a respected elder who helped people with addiction.
Her brother, Daryl Burns, said she was the first to respond to a crisis call on the James Smith Cree Nation and died after becoming involved in the violence.
“My sister lived her life to the fullest helping people,” he told CTV News.
“Gloria has been an avid helper and great asset to our community,” wrote Twitter user Stephanie Tee.
“Gloria loved helping people,” Joan Strong wrote on Facebook. “He worked in a healing clinic and helped a lot of us natives.”
EARL BURNS#
Earl Burns is also confirmed to be among the victims.
The Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association said in a Facebook post that he was a veteran, adding that it “sends our sincerest condolences to the Burns family.”
There are believed to be more family members among the victims who have yet to be identified.
WOOL HEAD#
Among the dead is Lana Head. One of her daughters posted a photo of her mother on Facebook, writing: “My mother did not deserve this. It’s so sad. Mom I love you. I know you’ll watch over us all.”
Friends and loved ones have posted tributes to Head on social media. Melodie Whitecap, a childhood friend of Head’s, according to Reuters, wrote that this attack was “not how I wanted him to leave this world.”
With files from Alexandra Mae Jones, CTV National News Winnipeg Bureau Chief Jill Macyshon and Reuters