A police operation in east Prince Albert has become a suspicious death investigation connected to the search for missing 14-year-old Peyton Flett.
The Prince Albert Police Service said Friday that members of its Major Crimes Unit found a deceased person in the 300 block of 40th Street East while conducting a search as part of the investigation into Flett’s disappearance.
Police have not identified the deceased person and have not said the remains are those of Flett. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18, and is expected to help determine the person’s identity as well as the cause and manner of death.
The development came one day after police first asked the public to stay away from the 300 block of 40th Street East because of an active police operation. Later Thursday, police confirmed Major Crimes was conducting a death investigation at the location.
The Forensic Identification Section and Saskatchewan Coroners Service were also involved. Prince Albert Fire Department, City of Prince Albert Public Works and Prince Albert Grand Council Search and Rescue assisted at the scene.
The discovery comes two days after police held a press conference alongside PAGC as the search for Flett continued.
At that press conference, investigators said they had revised the timeline surrounding Flett’s disappearance. Police originally received information that she had last been seen June 21, but the investigation later placed her last known movements between June 16 and 17.
Police said Flett had been in the area of John Diefenbaker School and later around Marquis Road and Central Avenue during that period.
Investigators also stressed Wednesday that searches were being driven by information and evidence gathered during the investigation.
Police Chief Patrick Nogier cautioned against speculation about what may have happened to Flett, saying investigative strategies could not be discussed publicly.
Flett’s mother made an emotional appeal at the same press conference, asking anyone who saw or spoke with her daughter, or who may have relevant camera footage from mid-June onward, to contact investigators.
Police said Friday the suspicious death investigation remains active and further information will be released when available.
with files from – Lexi Saldaña
