Charges upgraded against Tiki Laverdiere homicide suspect

Based on further evidence collected by the RCMP’s Major Crime Unit North, charges have been upgraded against one suspect connected to Tiki Laverdiere’s death.

Jesse Sangster is now charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and improperly interfering with a human body. These charges are in addition to the previous charge of theft of a motor vehicle.

The prior charge of accessory after the fact to murder was to be withdrawn when Sangster appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court on Friday morning, RCMP said.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed Brent Checkosis, who is charged in connection to Laverdiere’s death, was seriously injured during a stabbing at the Saskatoon Provincial Correctional Centre.

Six others are facing charges in connection to the ongoing homicide investigation.

Soaring Eagle Whitstone, Nicole Cook, Shayla Orthner and Danita Thomas are charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle.

Nicole is the mother of Tristen Cook-Buckle, whose funeral Laverdiere attended on April 27 on the Thunderchild First Nation, days before she was reported missing on May 12.

Nikita Sandra Cook is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Mavis Quinn Takekenew, 55, is facing a charge of accessory after the fact to murder.

Human remains were found in a rural area outside of North Battleford on July 11 and confirmed to be the Edmonton woman on July 16.

Laverdiere was reported missing on May 12 and last seen in the city on April 29.