Identified! Canada - Tofield, AB, 'Septic Tank Sam' Ntv/WhtMale 1046UMAB, Apr'77 - Gordon Edwin Sanderson

[Sillybilly]

from: RCMP use DNA to identify 'Septic Tank Sam' after 40 years

[...]

Police say Sanderson was part of the 60s Scoop, and was put into foster care at the age of nine.

[...]

RCMP believe Sanderson was killed by associates of his involved in various criminal acts in the Edmonton area. However, they do acknowledge that his killer may not be alive today

 

[Sillybilly]

Rest in Peace, Gordon Edwin Sanderson

And special Thank You to othram. The work you do is so appreciated.​

 

[MistyWaters]

Some additional clarifications -

Body of man found in Alberta septic tank in 1977 identified using genetic genealogy: RCMP
Staff Sgt. Jason Zazulak says the victim is Gordon (Gordie) Edwin Sanderson, an Indigenous man from Manitoba who was living in Edmonton when he died.

Zazulak says investigators were able to identify him by using genetic genealogy, a new investigation method that helped police in California identify the Golden State Killer.

He says Sanderson’s DNA was matched to his sister, who had lost track of him.

Zazulak says Sanderson and his two other siblings were part of the `60s Scoop, a child welfare practice in Canada where Indigenous children were removed from their families and placed in care…..
“

 

[MistyWaters]

from: RCMP use DNA to identify 'Septic Tank Sam' after 40 years

[...]

Police say Sanderson was part of the 60s Scoop, and was put into foster care at the age of nine.

[...]

RCMP believe Sanderson was killed by associates of his involved in various criminal acts in the Edmonton area. However, they do acknowledge that his killer may not be alive today

“RCMP believe Sanderson was killed by associates of his involved in various criminal acts in the Edmonton area. However, they do acknowledge that his killer may not be alive today.”

If some of these associates are no longer alive, I can imagine any who the RCMP tracked down who are still alive, who they would’ve pointed at for responsibility for this murder…it’d be one of the dead guys. It’s impossible for a deceased person to prove their innocence and any good defence lawyer knows that. This may be why the RCMP don’t appear optimistic of an impending arrest.

JMO

 

[branmuffin]

It is almost as if they know who the perp is judging by this....imo, speculation.rbbm.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/septic-tank-sam-killed-1977-1.6083537
''Lammerts said he believes the killer is dead by now but said that if he is still living, he is unlikely to face justice.

"How [are] you going to punish the guy now anyway?" Lammerts said. "You going to send an 82-year-old guy to jail now? What do you do with an 82-year-old man that killed somebody 50 years ago?"

Eighty two years old is very specific.

 

[MistyWaters]

Other clarifications including his age.

“The man has been identified as Gordon (Gordie) Edwin Sanderson. He was born in Manitoba on Oct. 22, 1950. Police say he was in his mid-20s when he died….

…..Police say Sanderson was part of the 60s Scoop, and was put into foster care at the age of nine.

“He struggled with addictions and has various run-ins with police,” he said….

….Between the passage of time and just some of the lifestyles that people were involved in at the time as well it’s very possible that they have passed away.…..”
RCMP use DNA to identify homicide victim after 40 years

 

[MistyWaters]

Eighty two years old is very specific.

He contradicts his belief the killer might be dead. If he knows an 82 year old killer, he’d also know if this person was still living or not. I think he was just offering an example to remind people of the difficulty that 44 years ago poses.

The retired officer is now 80 years old as well and long since retired. I think he deserves a pass if his comments make it appear he’s aware of a specific suspect.

JMO

 

[dotr]

Rbbm.
RCMP use DNA to identify homicide victim after 40 years
''The man has been identified as Gordon (Gordie) Edwin Sanderson. He was born in Manitoba on Oct. 22, 1950. Police say he was in his mid-20s when he died.''

''RCMP want to speak with anyone who may have known Gordie Sanderson, or have information about his death to contact the Tofield RCMP at 780-662-3353''

Gordon (Gordie) Sanderson was identified by RCMP using genetic genealogy. (Source: RCMP)

 

[branmuffin]

No one is stating that we can't/shouldn't seek justice for this perp.

It's just what that punishment would be .... IF a Canadian jury even found them guilty. What they will be charged with will all go down to motive if the perp is found. Then, if found guilty, the judge will consider mitigating circumstances such as age, if any previous convictions etc. IE: A Manslaughter sentence here averages from 4 - 7 years. And, a life sentence does not mean life -- rather it's 25 years maximum unless declared an Dangerous Offender (a la Paul Bernardo).

Canadian law does differentiate between "justifiable" first degree murder and plain old first degree murder, so motive of whoever will come in to play ... and all defendents know it (ergo why we have so many "victims" here).

But we know Bernardo is never going to see the light of day.

 

[branmuffin]

Yes, I saw that out on Othram's facebook page and then the thread in here which I 'follow'. David commented on that thread that there was another Canadian solve coming soon, so I've been anxiously waiting!

I hope it's Nation River lady.

 

[Feme98]

I hope it's Nation River lady.

I think that the Nation River Lady case is being worked by the DDP

 

[Sillybilly]

Eighty two years old is very specific.

Sheesh. Either he is generalizing on the 50 years or his math is a bit wonky. Hard to figure out what he's basing it on. It wasn't 50 years ago .. it was 44 years (possibly 45 if he was in the tank from 3 months to 1 year earlier as originally stated in the investigation).

 

[Sillybilly]

And, a life sentence does not mean life -- rather it's 25 years maximum unless declared an Dangerous Offender (a la Paul Bernardo).

<rsbm>

In Canada, a 25 year "life sentence" (for 1st degree murder) means that is the number of years they serve before they are eligible to apply for parole. They can remain in prison for many years beyond the 25 year eligibility period, and if granted parole at any time after that, they will be on parole supervision for the rest of their life.

 

[Anirtak]

RIP Gordon Edwin Sanderson.

 

[MistyWaters]

Sheesh. Either he is generalizing on the 50 years or his math is a bit wonky. Hard to figure out what he's basing it on. It wasn't 50 years ago .. it was 44 years (possibly 45 if he was in the tank from 3 months to 1 year earlier as originally stated in the investigation).

An earlier comment by Lammerts and math still doesn’t add up to an 82 year old who would’ve been in his late 30s in 1977, although it does indicate he seems inclined to spout numbers.

“Assuming the guilty people were in their early 20s, the only thing we can hope for is that just before they pass away they tell a priest or something,” he said.
RCMP hope DNA database could provide break in Septic Sam cold case | Edmonton Journal

 

[MistyWaters]

But we know Bernardo is never going to see the light of day.

Yes, as Vern pointed out, Bernardo was declared a dangerous offender due to his multiple offences, which is why hopefully he will never see the light of day. Otherwise I think it’s fair to say in general Canadian sentencing is often considered too soft by most of us, especially when compared to the US. However in this case unfortunately it appears the RCMP aren’t in a position of an impending arrest, unless they’re holding their cards very close to their chest.

“Paul Kenneth Bernardo (born August 27, 1964), also known as Paul Jason Teale,[1] is an incarcerated Canadian serial killer and serial rapist. He is known for initially committing a series of rapes in Scarborough, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto, between 1987 and 1990. He subsequently committed three murders with his then-wife Karla Homolka; among these victims was her young sister Tammy Homolka. After his capture and conviction, Bernardo was sentenced to life imprisonment and was later declared a dangerous offender, thus making it unlikely that he will ever be released from prison.”
Paul Bernardo - Wikipedia

 

[MistyWaters]

Cold case murder victim 'Septic Sam' identified as Edmonton man after genetic tests | Edmonton Journal
“Sanderson had a hard life, Zazulak said.

Known as “Gordie” by his family and friends, Sanderson was born in Manitoba on Oct. 22, 1950. At nine years old he was separated from his family during the Sixties Scoop and placed in foster care. He struggled with addictions and had multiple run-ins with police during his life.

He lived in Edmonton in the 1970s and was going to Calgary to visit his younger brother Arthur, but he didn’t make it.

His sister, who had lost touch with both her brothers, reported him missing in the early 1980s.

Police believe Sanderson was killed by people he knew that were involved in criminal activities in the Edmonton area. Officers are looking to speak with anyone who knew him or have information about his death.

“If you can assist us in bringing justice for Gordie, please contact the Tofield RCMP detachment,” Zazulak said…..”

 

[othram]

We need to get these DNA testing tools deployed to agencies sooner so that it doesn’t take decades to ID folks. The longer someone remains unidentified, the harder it is to then seek justice on their behalf.

 

[Vern]

And, his siter had reported him missing.

We need to get these DNA testing tools deployed to agencies sooner so that it doesn’t take decades to ID folks. The longer someone remains unidentified, the harder it is to then seek justice on their behalf.

Agreed.

Apparently he had multiple arrests so wondering how they missed his prints in the system. And, sister had reported him missing.

 

[othram]

And, his siter had reported him missing.

Agreed.

Apparently he had multiple arrests so wondering how they missed his prints in the system. And, sister had reported him missing.

Not sure if fingerprints were a possibility given the circumstances in which he was found.