SASKATOON — Paul Trottier held back the tears as he read the statement of their family after the remains of Mackenzie Trottier, his daughter, were finally found after more than four years. It was a hard reality for them, but it brought closure to the family as they could give 22-year-old Mackenzie the proper burial.
Her remains were found and recovered at the City of Saskatoon landfill through the combined efforts of the Saskatoon Police Service Public Safety Unit, the investigating team, and the SPS’ victim services, including Missing Persons Liaison Dorothea Switfwolfe.
“This is a difficult time, but our family wants to thank our community personally for supporting us over the past three and a half years. The past 93 days, in particular, had been pretty difficult, but today, we have the answers we’ve been searching for,” said the elder Trottier after SPS Chief Cam McBride’s announcement on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
“Our family would not be where we are without our community. Our [Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls] family, victim services, Dorothea Swiftwolfe, our family and friends, you have been the fabric that has held us together. You are forever etched in our hearts. Today, we have our answers; Mackenzie is home,” added Trottier.
They also thanked the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, McBride and former SPS Chief Troy Cooper, SPS Staff Sgt. Corey Lenius, the Major Crime Section, the City of Saskatoon, and Dr. Ernie Walker. Trottier said they have all been incredible during the process and helped them pursue answers without hesitation.
The Saskatoon Police Service’s Public Safety Unit, with the assistance of Dr. Walker, braved changing weather conditions in completing the recovery of the remains of Mackenzie Trottier, the 22-year-old woman who went missing in December 2020.
Before leaving with his family after the media briefing, Trottier faced some of the members of the landfill search team to personally thank them for helping recover the remains of his daughter. They request privacy as they continue to grieve the death of Mackenzie.
Mackenzie’s case is now closed, and Lenius said no charges will be filed after the person allegedly responsible for her death died of an overdose. He added that Mackenzie and the suspect knew each other and often stayed at the latter’s house in the 1300 block of Avenue B North, which could have been her last known location.
“This address was crucial in guiding our search of the landfill. In December 2023, a warrant was authorized to search the suspect’s phone data. Through this search, investigators determined there was a high likelihood that Mackenzie was in the Saskatoon landfill,” said Lenius.
“We contacted Teresa Dyer, [City of Saskatoon’s Fleet Services Operations Assistant], who was instrumental in helping us determine the GPS coordinates of the truck that picked up the bins from the 1300 block of Avenue B North and where they might be unloaded.”
After obtaining it as evidence, Lenius added that the suspect’s phone had information in his search history, including the days the city’s garbage trucks picked it up.
“Once we can access that additional data from the phone, we can observe his search engine. Around the time Mackenzie went missing, the common search was for the next garbage pickup. We were also 100 per cent sure he did not leave his residence during that crucial time that she [Mackenzie] went missing,” said Lenius.
From there, they began the three-month-long search that ended on Aug. 1, when Mackenzie’s remains were recovered.
The cause of death was not yet known at the time of the media conference. However, the Saskatchewan Coroner Service is investigating.
