Gazette staff
A missing person case turned into a murder investigation this week as the husband of Jennifer McPherson was arrested on second-degree murder charges, RCMP announced Tuesday.
Traigo Ehkid Andretti, 37, is scheduled to appear Monday, May 13, in Campbell River Provincial Court in the death of McPherson, 41.
The couple were caretakers at the remote Double Bay Resort on Hanson Island.
McPherson, 41, was reported missing by her family May 1 after members had been unable to contact her for two days. RCMP in Alert Bay launched a search, which expanded May 3 to include dozens of officers from the Island District Tactical Troop, RCMP Air Services, Police Dog Service, Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit and divers from the RCMP's West Coast Marine Service.
Based on the investigative work completed in the days since McPherson's disappearance, VIIMCU officers were able to confirm she was the victim of murder.
VIIMCU investigators continue their work on Hanson Island, where Jennifer's murder was committed. They are being assisted by officers from the Alert Bay RCMP Detachment, RCMP Forensic Identification Section, RCMP Island District Tactical Troop, RCMP West Coast Marine Service and the Police Dog Service. Their work is expected to continue for several more days.
The BC Coroner Service has been advised, and is working with investigators.
“Our investigators remain focused on conducting a thorough search of Hanson Island for any evidence related to this murder, and the ultimate goal of seeing justice served for Jennifer's grieving family”, states Sgt. Kevin Mazur of the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit.
McPherson's family has been notified of her death and the investigative developments, RCMP Victim Services said. She had last been in contact with her family on Apr. 29.
Hanson Island is located approximately five miles by boat from Telegraph Cove, south of Port McNeill.