Family calls for more rigorous RCMP investigation of 18-year-old Waterhen First Nation woman's death

Adyson King, 18, is described by her family as a beautiful, active and outgoing young woman who was loved by many in Meadow Lake and the Flying Dust and Waterhen First Nations. 

"Adyson loved children. She loved helping them with whatever they wanted to do. Adyson loved horses, she enjoyed hockey and supporting her teammates. She had a smile that would light up the room," said Loretta King, family spokesperson and Adyson's auntie. 

Adyson's future was bright, but it burned out tragically one night in mid-April, mere months before her much-anticipated high school graduation. 

The 18-year-old, who was Métis and a member of Waterhen First Nation, went out with some people she knew the evening of April 14 — the last day her family saw her alive.

They went to an outdoor party in Meadow Lake, about 250 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, and then headed to a house party on Flying Dust First Nation — just under five kilometres northeast of the small city. Adyson left that house at some point. The family said they do not know if she was alone or not. 

King told CBC Wednesday that on April 15, the young woman's mother, Darcie King, returned home from work to find Adyson was not there. She reported Adyson missing that evening.

The 18-year-old's body was found by a river near Flying Dust First Nation on April 16. King said Adyson was located on the side of the river where there is just bare countryside. Flying Dust homes and buildings are located on the opposite side.

"Why would she be on that side of the river? There were no houses there. She didn't live in that direction. There was still ice on the riverbanks. I just don't understand," King said.

"She was raised in the country, so she knew not to just cross a river, especially if there was only a field on the other side."

This is just one of the unanswered questions the close-knit King family has. They believe foul play led to Adyson's death.

King said she and the rest of the family do not believe RCMP are treating the investigation with the attention and care it deserves. In a news release from the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, the family indicated they were immediately concerned that RCMP did not treat Adyson's disappearance as a priority and claim police assumed she was a runaway before her body was found.

Adyson's aunt said her niece was not someone who went out often. She suspects stigma around Indigenous and Métis people may have impacted the investigation.

"I'm really frustrated because in my opinion, it's like Adyson was painted like just another drunk Indian," King said.

The Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) said that on April 16, police conducted a drone search in a small area around Meadow River without success. Adyson's family called it "little effort."

The King family then took matters into their own hands.

They organized a more intensive ground search that led to the discovery of Adyson's body shortly after — and within close proximity of the RCMP's efforts — according to the MLTC news release, which also stated the family found Adyson's initial disappearance "uncharacteristic and concerning."

In a statement to CBC, Saskatchewan RCMP said Meadow Lake RCMP and the Saskatchewan Coroners Service continue to investigate Adyson's death.

The investigation has so far included gathering and analyzing evidence, getting statements from witnesses and consulting with specialized Saskatchewan RCMP units outside of the Meadow Lake detachment.

The Mounties said they are unable to provide investigation details at this time. Adyson's family told CBC they are also not releasing any information that could interfere with the ongoing investigation. 

While the King family suspects foul play, the RCMP has not been swayed in that direction at this time. 

"Evidence gathered to date indicates that Adyson's death is not criminal in nature," RCMP said in the statement, adding that if further evidence is gathered, it will be "fulsomely investigated."

"We are having ongoing conversations with Adyson's loved ones. We acknowledge the immense amount of grief they are experiencing, and that they have questions around aspects of the investigation into her death."

Meanwhile, Adyson's loved ones said they would like to have more communication from the RCMP.  

MLTC, FSIN stand behind King family

In an interview with CBC Wednesday, MLTC Tribal Chief Jeremy Norman said he wants RCMP investigators to consider what they would do and how they would feel if it was one of their daughters who went through what Adyson had.

"They put that uniform on for all of Canada and to represent all kinds," he said.

"I'd just remind them that, you know, these incidents can happen to anybody, you know, and just treat everybody the same."

Federation of Sovereign Indian Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron said he stands behind the King family and the MLTC. 

"It is protocol for the RCMP to treat each and every request for protection and help from First Nations as a priority, in particular, our women," Chief Cameron said in the news release.

"The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls identified a truth as to how colonial justice system's attitudes and bias regarding our people leads to inaction and lack of care. There is a history with the Meadow Lake RCMP that needs to be explored and corrected."

As for Adyson's legacy, King said she will always be remembered as having big dreams. Her friends are also struggling with the loss of the hockey player and chuckwagon racer.

King said her large family has been a huge comfort in the wake of this tragedy.

"It is a comfort to have our family holding each other up to honour Adyson, honour her spirit [and] search for justice."