Today, the RCMP announced that the death of Destiny Rae Tom, 21, was the result of foul play. On March 23, 2013, police responded to a call at around 5:30 a.m. and discovered Destiny’s body outside of a home on the Nautley Indian Reserve on the east end of Fraser Lake.
Many of Destiny's extended family - members of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation near Burns Lake - gathered at Village of Fort Fraser council chambers in support of Vivian Tom, Destiny’s mother. She delivered a public plea for help with the investigation. She implored anyone with information about her daughter’s death to come forward and cooperate with the RCMP.
“Our daughter’s badly beaten body was discovered on the Nautley Indian Reserve just out side of Fort Fraser,” said Tom. “Whoever is responsible for Destiny’s death is still out there.”
“We believe that someone out there knows something and is yet to come forward with information surrounding Destiny’s death.”
The RCMP expressed the same concern. Despite an arrest made shortly after the discovery of Destiny’s body, no charges have been laid either against that individual or anyone else.
“We’re still missing the piece of the puzzle that we need to bring closure to this family and this community,” said RCMP Cst. Lesley Smith.
On the evening of Destiny's death, there was a gathering or party at the residence where Destiny's body was found. Although some present at the gathering have come forward to provide information, not all have.
“It is those people that she was last with that we want to speak to,” said Smith.
Police investigators emphasized the need for anyone that was present that evening, or anyone who has any details, to come forward regardless of how important or unimportant someone might feel their information to be.
The Fraser Lake RCMP can be reached at 250-699-7777. If a person prefers to make anonymous contact, they can call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.