Man charged in connection with Whitehorse double homicide last year

Yukon RCMPhave laid charges in connection with the deaths of two women in Whitehorse last year.

Sarah MacIntosh and Wendy Carlick were found dead in a home in the McIntyre Subdivision in April 2017. Police soon after declared it a homicide.

In a two-minute video statement posted on Facebook on Monday, Yukon RCMPChief Superintendent Scott Sheppard said 44-year-old Everett Chief, originally of Watson Lake, now faces two counts of second degree murder.

Sheppard offered no other details about how MacIntoshand Carlickdied.

"This was a difficult investigation, involving all the technical and investigative resourcesthe YukonRCMPcould bring to bear," Sheppard said. "While this investigation has now entered a new phase, it is far from over."

Sheppard also thanked the families of MacIntosh and Carlick, and Kwanlin Dun First Nation Chief Doris Bill for their help with the investigation.

"These losses have affected the entire community," he said.

"While this development does not provide loved ones with all of the answers, I do hope it will allow family and friends to have a better understanding of what happened to Wendy and Sarah."

Chief was charged on May 28 in Whitehorse while already in custody on other matters.

In an interview with the CBC, Sheppard said police informed family members and community leaders before news of the charges was made public.

"It's obviously a deeply personal matter and we try and keep that in mind. We don't want to forget the members of the families who are still hurting and those who are left behind,"he said.

Sheppardsaid RCMP have been building a case in an "exceptionally methodical" way and the charges werelaid only after consultation with the Crown's office.

"They have those conversations with the [Public Prosecution Service of Canada]and when collectively we're satisfied, that's when we move ahead," he explained.

Sheppard did not say whether physical evidence such as a murder weapon will be presented in court.

Police are still investigating the death of Wendy Carlick's daughter Angel Carlick who was killed 10 years prior, along withother unsolved murders in the Yukon.

Sheppardsaid to his knowledge "there is absolutely no connection to those events" but the investigation into all of the cases will continue.