RCMP are continuing with the multiple homicide investigation involving Cody Alan Legebokoff, 21, from Prince George.
On Nov. 27, 2010, at approximately 9:45 p.m. Legebokoff was pulled over after exiting a logging road North of Vanderhoof, by uniformed RCMP officers from Fort St. James and Vanderhoof. This led officers to enlist the aid of a conservation officer which resulted in the arrest of Legebokoff for the murder of 15 year old Loren Donn Leslie, from Fraser Lake.
A subsequent investigation by the E Division Major Crime Unit and the Prince George RCMP detachment also led to three further murder charges against Legebokoff relating to the deaths of Jill Stuchenko, 35, Cynthia Maas, 35 and Natasha Montgomery, 23, who is still reported missing. Montgomery was originally from Quesnel but had been living in the Prince George area when her friends contacted the RCMP to report her missing.
In October 2011 the Crown confirmed the case will proceed by direct indictment on all four murder charges, moving directly to trial without a preliminary inquiry.
The Crown also indicated the trial could take six months to a year to complete.
On Nov. 9, 2011 Legebokoff appeared in Supreme Court Chambers in Prince George where B.C. Supreme Court Justice Glen Parrett issued a publication ban on anything that is not presented before a jury.
Last week, RCMP announced that they are stepping up their efforts to locate Montgomery. Constable Lesley Smith, media relations officer from the North District RCMP said, "Her family has held a healing ceremony and pleaded for information. RCMP are also asking people to continue to report any information," she said.
RCMP have conducted systematic searches in high priority areas and are looking to identify additional areas to search as the warmer weather arrives. These will include areas between Prince George, Vanderhoof and Fort St. James.
"Three of the murdered victims were found a short distance off gravel roads which were accessed from a main roadway or a highway," she said.
Based on the evidence surrounding the murders of the other women, police are asking hunters, riders and all outdoor enthusiasts to keep an eye out as they head into the woods this spring.
"Police are especially interested in information relating to side roads, logging roads, power lines and gravel pits between Prince George and Vanderhoof, as well as between Vanderhoof and Fort St. James and police are requesting that if any remains are located that they not be disturbed in any way. Instead the person should make a note of the location, or if possible obtain GPS coordinates and then provide that information immediately to police in their local area," Cst. Smith added.
Police are asking anyone with any information to call the specially created tip line at 1-877-987-8477.