RCMP asks for help after identifying man found dead on Big River First Nation

Police are asking for help from the public after identifying a man found dead on the Big River First Nation.

According to the RCMP, the body of 30-year-old Lionel Whitehead, a resident of the Pelican Lake First Nation, was found on a trail on the Big River First Nation on Wednesday evening. Whitehead’s family has been notified of his death, the RCMP said.

(RCMP/Submitted)

“Investigators are releasing the victim’s name as they are asking members of the public to report any sightings or interactions with Lionel since September 30, 2022,” the RCMP said in a statement issued Friday.

Police are also asking the public to report any recent sightings of a truck which may be relevant to the investigation into Whitehead’s death.

The truck is a white, 2017 Chevrolet 1500 with Saskatchewan licence plate 964 HHA. The truck was found near the same trail, the RCMP said, and it may recently have been in the areas around the Pelican Lake First Nation, the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, or the Big River First Nation.

The truck is very distinctive, the RCMP said, because it has black tape over the taillight on the driver’s side, and a mismatched rim on the rear driver’s side.

Anyone who spotted the truck or spoke to Whitehead between Sept. 30 and this past Wednesday was asked to contact police or make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.