There are no new leads in the suspicious death of a man whose body was found near Onion Lake Cree Nation in March 2020.
David Jonas Tobac, 24, was reported missing to Lloydminster RCMP on Feb. 29, 2020, and his body was found on March 6, 2020, about 35 kilometres northeast of Onion Lake Cree Nation.
Tobac’s death remains under investigation, said RCMP Media Spokesperson Rob King on Feb. 18.
“Nothing new we can put out,” he said.
RCMP said Tobac’s family last heard from him through a text message on Feb. 28, 2020. Based on their investigation and an autopsy, police labeled Tobac’s death as suspicious.
Tobac’s family and friends put up a memorial for him where his body was found and they started a tribute page dedicated to his memory.
“Please God let this all be just a bad dream and I’m going to wake up hearing my brother coming down the stairs with his shoes on just to bug me…I was always a strong person but this is actually breaking me… we miss you denesoo, we love you denesoo,” wrote Kendra Rene.
“May the angels be dancing and singing with grace,” wrote his aunt. “There’s not one day that goes by without thinking of you, missing you.”
Onion Lake state of emergency
Three other murders a few months prior to Tobac’s body being found prompted Onion Lake Cree Nation to declare a state of emergency.
Conrad Mooswa’s body was found Oct. 23, 2019, at a residence on Onion Lake Cree Nation.
The body of thirty-two-year-old Braden Bull was found on Jan. 21, 2020, on Onion Lake Cree Nation. Bull was last seen on Jan. 7, 2020, and he was reported missing on Jan. 20, 2020.
The body of twenty-six-year-old Braden Sparvier was found Jan. 1, 2020, along a road in the R.M. of Frenchman Butte, which borders Onion Lake Cree Nation.
“The Nation has now experienced three deaths directly related to drugs and gang activity within the last two months, along with numerous high speed chases and violent crimes,” said Onion Lake Cree Nation in their media release when declaring a state of emergency in January 2020.
Anyone with information on Tobac’s death is asked to call his/her local RCMP Detachment. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com
If you are associated with a gang and want to leave it, contact STR8 UP in northern Saskatchewan at 306-763-3001, STR8 UP in central Saskatchewan at 306-244-1771, or Regina Treaty Status Indian Services in southern Saskatchewan at 306-522-7494 to get assistance.
Onion Lake Cree Nation borders the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan and is located about 50 kilometres north of Lloydminster.
