The “suspicious” deaths were published in local papers but hadn’t yet captured the national media attention
But what’s unique about this particular case I think was issues involving identifying the victims. Much like Mr Dyck’s family chose not to allow his cause of death to be released, until L&C were identified, there were no known family members to authorize what’s otherwise considered confidential information.
I know it seems rather ridiculous if it has the potential to put the public at risk and it’s indeed a controversial subject but it’s also beyond the decision of the RCMP in what or how much information can be published.
July 16th - Fort St John
Two people found dead south of Liard River Hotsprings - Energeticcity.ca
With the exception of this matter, I think the RCMP has done a superb job. I also defend them in the issue of their taking 4 hours to reach the scene; given the location, I was surprised they got there that fast.
However, their defense on not releasing the fact that a double homicide had occurred focuses on releasing the names. IMHO, releasing the names is irrelevant to the actual issue, and strikes me as deflection. The issue is that they knew a murderer or murderers was at large, and had committed a double murder by firearm of travelers on the Alaska Highway, and chose to withold that information from the public who were at risk.
It is also troubling IMHO that the release of this fact had to come from Australia, days after the event.
I can understand their reluctance to release victim's names. The fact they were murdered, however, is a public safety issue, and utterly unrelated to whether or not to release their names. They most certainly could have released the fact they were murdered by gunfire without releasing their names, had they so wished.
We do not know under what circumstances Professor Dyck encountered his murderers. We also do not know when he was killed. However, indications are, due to the visibility of his body, that it was not long before the burning truck was found.
If, in those days, the professor had turned on his car radio, or checked the news at Dease Lake gas station, it is possible he might have heard the news, and been more wary. At least, he would have had that chance. Not releasing the fact the couple were murdered took that chance away from him, for no plausible reason.
I think the RCMP needs to either come up with a more plausible reason for withholding that information, or change its policy. Perhaps in so doing, some future innocent life will be saved, and thus some good can yet come from this otherwise horrific series of events.