News Room  Media Releases |
 |
Search all Media Releases |
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 16, 2007
Winnipeg Police Service Media Release
For Immediate Release
Project “Angel” Leads to Arrest in 1984 Candace Derksen Homicide
 On November 30th, 1984, thirteen year old Candace Derksen, a grade 7 student at Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute, left school at the end of the day to walk home. Unfortunately, Candace never made it home. Her parents reported her missing to the Winnipeg Police Service later that day and members were assigned to search for her whereabouts.
During the next five weeks, a large ground search was conducted and police interviewed numerous friends, neighbours, and schoolmates as well as investigating many tips received from the public. All efforts to locate Candace were unsuccessful.
On January 17th, 1985 an employee of an Elmwood building supply business entered a remote shed on the business's property to obtain a tool. There, the employee discovered the body of Candace Derksen. Police were called and subsequently initiated a homicide investigation.
Homicide investigators interviewed and re-interviewed numerous friends, schoolmates and witnesses and reviewed tips received by the police. Although an extensive investigation took place all leads were eventually exhausted and the homicide became an unsolved or “cold” case.
Over the next 22 years, the original investigation has been reviewed, analyzed and re-opened as persons of interest were identified. However, these subsequent investigative actions did not lead to arrests.
In 2006, the case was assigned to the newly formed Cold Case Unit of the Criminal Investigation Bureau for further review.
The Cold Case Unit reviewed the case and, in particular, the forensic sciences portion of the investigation. At this time, new leads were established and pursued.
As a result of a comprehensive investigation known as Project “Angel,” the Winnipeg Police Service has identified a suspect in the murder of Candace Derksen. This morning, the Cold Case Unit arrested the suspect.
Mark Edward GRANT, 43 years, of Winnipeg has been charged with 1st Degree Murder and is now in police custody.
L - R: Inspector Tom Legge, Chief Jack Ewatski, Cliff Derksen, Wilma Derksen
For Further Information Contact Either:
Sgt. Kelly Dennison
Public Information Officer |
|
Cst. Jacqueline Chaput
Public Information Officer
|
|
|
|
May Media Releases
All pages on this website are printer friendly
