http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Calgary/ID/2472647024/
Published July 10, 2014
New details on missing Calgary boy, grandparents
This is not an official transcript and is not connected to any of the participants.
It is a rough draft, and all errors are my own.
Calgary Police Service Spokesman, Kevin Brockwell = KB
KB: As the investigation into the disappearance of Nathan O'Brien and Kathryn and Alvin Liknes moves into the eleventh day, teams continue to search Calgary area landfills and investigators continue to ask rural property owners to check their properties for anything unusual.
Yesterday, search teams sifted through garbage at the Spyhill Landfill site as part of a routine procedure to look for anything relevant to this ongoing investigation. Today, those teams have moved to a landfill off 17th Ave and 68th St SE. Additional search teams in partnership with the RCMP continue to cover a large area in and around the property in Airdrie in connection to this investigation.
Officers are also going door to door at neighbouring acreages asking residents to do a thorough check of their properties. And property owners as well as businesses are being asked to do the same.
Once again, we'd like to thank the media and the public for their assistance in this investigation, and continue to encourage anyone with information to please contact us or crime stoppers. And, tips can also be emailed to
homicidetips@calgarypolice.ca.
You can appreciate there's limited information I could probably share, but I will ask or answer whatever questions I can at this time.
Reporter: Are there any indications that there's a meth lab or remnants of a meth lab on that property, on the property near Airdrie?
KB: I can confirm that a quantity of chemicals has been located at the Airdrie property. All I can say is that it is considered dangerous and flammable in nature and so we're taking precautions at that site for the officers who are out there conducting a search and handling or looking at that chemical, or those chemicals. Yesterday, we had adjacent ambulances for that purpose as well as for the folks that are out in the field doing the search. Today, there are some members of our tactical unit, explosive detection folks who are chemical experts and they're out there assessing as well. But, at this time we don't know if it's chemicals that are part of a typical farm operation or chemicals that could be used for something else. Until we know that those chemicals are, we can't say and it's too early to speculate what those may be or what they may be used for.
Reporter: Can you tell us why the landfills are being searched?
KB: In most major crimes cases, certainly in homicides and or in missing crimes or missing persons cases like this. I can tell you in this particular incident that shortly after the disappearance was reported, we made contact with the three landfill sites in Calgary and we asked that all refuse from the Calgary and surrounding area that goes to those three landfill sites be segregated off. In the early days in the investigation, we were following up on tips that were coming in from the public, and, as part of this ongoing investigation, that we had investigators that are going through that, those landfill sites in the area that had been segregated off to see if there's anything suspicious that may or may not be related to this file. So, that's the process that they're going through at this time.
Reporter: So, there was nothing significant that was leading you actually to the landfill, it was just procedural?
KB: Yeah. It was something that was activated the day off or the day after the disappearance.
Reporter: Did you find anything?
KB: There have been items that have taken, that have been taken from the landfill site, but we don't know if there is any relevance to this file or not. So, they're just looking for anything suspicious. Again, you can appreciate we're talking about all landfill that was collected for a number of days following the disappearance, so there is quite a quantity of refuse to go through. And so, it's not specific to that area, so they're going through everything and anything that might be suspicious we're taking as part of the investigation, we're having it checked. And, we don't know if it has any relevance to the file or not.
Reporter: Are you interested in the forensics? Have you, in fact, sent it to the crime lab?
KB: We have. Actually it's a constant process almost daily of things that we're sending up to the crime lab, still working closely with the crime lab who are expediting the work that they're doing on these items. And items are still coming back. Nothing that we can report on yet, but we are getting items back and forth every day.
Reporter: Is there anything that you can say about the investigation of Douglas Garland?
KB: Other than, of course, he remains a person of interest. He is still before the courts on the other matter. I understand that there are some conditions that the courts are requiring as to whether or not he is released. If he is released, he still remains a person of interest in this investigation, but he has not been formally charged. But, I can't get into specifics as to what we'll be doing as regards to the ongoing investigation and our interest in him.
Scrum.
Reporter: From a police standpoint, if tomorrow he's released what happens?
KB: He just remains a person of interest in this investigation, but I won't get into what we would doing or furthering as part of this investigation with regards to him.
Scrum
Reporter: Are you investigating into the business relationship between Mr. Garland and Alvin Liknes?
KB: I can tell you that there are some, there are some business issues that we're looking into. I can't get into specifics as to what those are, who was involved, what they look like, or how many people are involved, but yes, we have investigators looking into those allegations that there were some business issues. And we're dedicating a number of folks that are, are checking into that as well.
Reporter: How far, or how much would you say that the investigation has advanced in the last couple of days? Is it still moving forward?
KB: Absolutely. In fact, we were just talking to the homicide investigators, and they said that tips are still coming in, and there were a number of investigative avenues that they're following up on. So we were we are still moving forward on this investigation.
Reporter: Are those investigative avenues still linked to the Airdrie acreage or are you expecting to expand the search even further?
KB: Well, no. I mean the Airdrie location is just one of the avenues that we're following up on. There are a number of other avenues. Of course, the landfill sites are a part of that investigation, but there are other things that we're following up on that have come in as a result of this investigation, and so that it does still move forward, and there are a number of things that we are still following up on.
Reporter: Are you going to elaborate at all on what some of those leads might be?
KB: Not at this time, no.
Reporter: It's day eleven. Is there any kind of frustration with things?
KB: No, I don't think there's frustration. We remain hopeful that we locate the three people. We have dedicated a lot of resources and will continue to dedicate whatever resources we need. I know we have the same commitment from the RCMP, and we will continue on for as long as we need to on this investigation.
Reporter: Will you be looking into other landfills out in the country once you're done with the three landfills in Calgary?
KB: I can't say that for sure. I can just say that the three landfill sites in Calgary do take into account the Calgary and some other surrounding areas. So, at this time, I'm only aware of the three.
Reporter: Yesterday, Chief Hanson said that he had offers from other police jurisdictions to dedicate officers to check their jurisdictions.
KB: That's not uncommon. Usually in big situations, big files, big public events there's a lot of co-operation from across the country, and so it wouldn't be uncommon for other jurisdictions, and especially in Alberta, to offer up those resources. I can't say for sure at this time if we've taken them up on that, but certainly that is not uncommon. It's something that we, as the Calgary Police Service, often do as well.
Reporter: Is this still considered a missing persons file?
KB: Yes, it is.
Reporter: And Amber Alert still in effect?
KB: The Amber Alert is still in effect. I mean it's something that we assess on a day to day basis. It is a significant investigative strategy as part of this file. Tips do still come in, albeit they are slowing down from the early days when the Amber Alert was put out. But if tips are still coming in, it is very important and that information is critical for us to follow up on so until such time as we no longer get tips there, we're going to assess the Amber Alert on a day to day basis.
Reporter: With the passage of time, what is the possibility that these people might still be alive?
KB: I'm not gonna speculate. I'm just saying that we are hopeful that we will find them alive. And there is nothing to indicate otherwise. So, we will remain hopeful and will continue to work on this.
Reporter: I just wanted to follow up. And you say that you stay in touch with the family? This must be a gruelling time for them. How are they doing?
KB: Absolutely. Again, they're devastated. This is unfathomable what they're going through. I know that there's folks that are rallying behind them. Even tonight there's a candlelight vigil being organized by friends that's open to the public. So, you see a lot of community support. You see a lot of the family support. Everybody is watching this closely. Everybody wants to help. We're seeing a lot of offers for help and support from right across the city. And, that's typical of Calgary, so I know that the family appreciates that. They also appreciate the amount of resources and time that we're putting into this investigation. And so, nothing's going to change. We'll dedicate what we need to. And, as we said before, we'll continue on and no stone will be left unturned.
Reporter: Kevin, it was my impression an you say anything more specific about your going door to door?
KB: No. So what we said is even people in the community, around Park Hill, anybody. The amount of time it takes to check their property, rural properties. You know your property better than anybody else. You can see if anything's missing, if anything's been disturbed, if there's anything odd-- tire tracks, absolutely anything that's out of the ordinary. We would rather hear about it and follow up on it to see if there's any relevance or not. And that's what we're asking folks to do. So, take a bit of time, check your properties either in the city or rural. Businesses, some of the oil companies have well-heads, things like that. Sites that are not checked on a regular basis. So, we're asking,you know, take the time. Send folks out. Have a look around. If anything's suspicious, let us know. So, tips are still coming in, but that would be very, very helpful.
Reporter: You've reached out to the public a number of times over this last week and a half. How do you feel about what you've gotten back from your appeals to the public?
KB: Well, I mean that we're frustrated that we still have probably over half the folks from the estate sale that still haven't come forward. But, certainly the tips and the information that we've been receiving have been excellent, and a lot of that we're still following up on. So we'd really like anybody that hasn't talked to us yet, that was at the estate sale, just to give us a call and we'll do whatever we can to touch base with them in whatever way they need to. But, we're still waiting for half of those folks.
Reporter: In your experience, have you seen a case like this before?
KB: In my thirty-five years, no. And I've talked to other senior command people, senior investigators and this is a very, very unique case. But, you know, it doesn't matter, the type of case or how difficult it is. The same amount of dedication and resources and commitment to this file is given to all files, so we're just going to continue on with optimism and hope that we can still find these people.
Scrum.
KB: Go ahead.
Reporter: Why is this case so unique that you haven't seen anything like it in thirty-five years?
KB: Oh, no. It's just the fact that we're into eleven days. We have three missing people. We're still getting some tips. There are some investigative leads that we're following up on. And, as the days pass, it does pose its challenges so that's what makes it unique. You know, a lot of files can be solved quickly. At least you have suspects that you can follow up right away, so it's unique in that way. But, again, it doesn't change how we're responding to this file or the resources that we committed to it.
Reporter: What do you say to reassure the family?
KB: Well, I mean we're in contact with the family every day. They're, they're happy and satisfied with the amount of resources that are being put into this. We're trying to investigate-- keep them up on the investigation as much as we can with what we can share of course. And, certainly they're very appreciative of the support that they're getting from the community. So, I think from their perspective, I believe they think that everything that can be done is being done and will continue that way.
Reporter: You've been at that property for seven days now, are you finding anything new? Do you expect to find anything, or are you looking at what you have. I assume you've been through everything you have by this point?
KB: Well, we still hold that property, and we'll hold it indefinitely. As more information or leads or tips come in there may be things that we need to go back and look at. So at this point, the house has been thoroughly searched. Our forensic teams have been in there. But we are not releasing the property at this point.
Reporter: Is Doug Garland the only person of interest still?
KB: We have a number of investigative avenues that we're following up on. He remains as a person of interest, but I won't get into anything other than other investigative avenues that we're following up on.
Reporter: How long do you hold out hope for those people?
KB: Hold on a second. (Indicates reporter)
Reporter: He asked my question.
KB: (Turns back.) Sorry.
Reporter: How long do you hold out hope for those people?
KB: Indefinitely. Until we get information or evidence to change that. And at this point we have not, so we are hopeful and will remain that way until something changes.
Reporter: Can you tell us are there any other surveillance videos at all?
KB: Not that I'm aware of. At least I've been briefed on that I can share.
Reporter: There's other buildings and what not on that property
KB: Oh, sorry, the house in Parkhill has been thoroughly searched. We're still in the process of searching the property, outbuildings in the Airdrie area as well as surrounding properties. So that's still ongoing.
Reporter: How many investigators are involved? Sort of walk us through how many..
KB: Well, and it's not just investigators. There's a number of support people. We have community partners. We have some other agencies like the RCMP. I think on any given day there's probably more than a hundred touching this file in one way or another.
Reporter: What do you mean by community partners?
KB: Well, Alberta Health Services for example. We have used in Calgary our partners in Calgary Search and Rescue to help us. So there are other people involved, other than Calgary Police Service members.
Reporter: Were there any violent, signs of violence found out there on the acreage?
KB: Yeah, I won't comment on that.
Reporter: Have you been able to identify who the person was who was injured in the home yet?
KB: No, I won't comment on that.
PR: Just a couple more questions.
Reporter: There are business and financial connections between Doug Garland and Alvin Liknes. Some things have come out about that, some details about the business.
KB: Yeah, so we are aware of some business issues regarding the family and so we're just, we have officers or investigators that are looking a that to see if there is a connection to this disappearance.
Reporter: Are there any more charges that will face at this time?
KB: Not at this time that I'm aware. OK.
