In Canada we have little experience dealing with massive manhunts for fugitive killers. Two suspects, leaving a trail of three murdered victims Chynna Deese, Lucas Fowler, Leonard Dyck in northern BC made it to Northern Manitoba.
These two suspects fled across the prairies to Gilliam, Manitoba where the manhunt began. From July 15, to August 7th 2019 the hunt for these two and final discovery of their dead bodies. The search kept all Canadians on edge, especially for those living in the communities where the massive search was being undertaken by RCMP, Canadian Armed Forces and other police agencies. One can only imagine what is was like for the people in the communities. That sense of fear, the unknown. It is in the resilience of the various communities that one has to be proud of the collective courage.
However it is equally important for the RCMP officers and those involved in the search as well as the communities, to have access to and be offered, the emotional support/counseling services needed. Everyone deals with stress differently, everyone has their own coping skills, some have none. Children are susceptible to stress and fear. Fear is fear, real or imagined, fear is still fear. By failing to address the reality of the last few weeks could set up some people with deep emotional pain. The sense of innocence is lost when something of this tragic magnitude touches their home.
The searching was an intense challenge. The terrain, bugs, difficulties with the muskeg in the ground search and visual problems with the dense trees. Not only difficult for the suspects who did not want to be found but also for the RCMP who were very much aware of the potential for further violence in the search. The military provided CP140 Auro Patrol aircraft and C130 Transport Hercules search and rescue. Massive effort in the search. Bodies were found and later identified as the suspects. Social media and tips from public are the new norm for police.
As the search for evidence and investigations continue, the family of the victims have to live with the new reality of loss and the unimaginable suffering with that loss. As a parent it is the ultimate pain, where it hurts to remember and it hurts to breath.
As the bodies of the two suspects were located and postmortems performed there is a new reality for these families. There is a new reality for Canadians as well.
Another concern is for the mental health of the victims families, the communities, the police and all those involved in the search.
Addressing our fears is part of facing the fear. Ignoring the stress and fear can be dangerous. As we learn from this intense manhunt lessons on what worked and what needs improvement are part learning. Let us hope that in Canada we never have to see this type of violence again. One can only hope.