The Saskatoon Police Service say they have recovered human remains following the first of what was planned to be a four day search for Megan Gallagher.
SPS says searchers located the remains around 2:30p.m. Thursday on the South Saskatchewan River near the community of St. Louis, SK.
The remains are not confirmed to be Gallagher’s. Police say testing will be conducted to determine the identity.
Eight people have now been charged in the Megan Gallagher investigation as the Saskatoon Police Service announced the arrest of Robin Tyler John.
“When these pieces of information come out, there’s an initial shock,” says Gallagher’s father, Brian, “there’s an initial shock just it’s like being hit in the chest with a shotgun, but when you start to get your head around it, there are some moments where it gets better.”
Police said they went to a correctional facility on the Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation Monday to arrest the 34-year-old man, who was incarcerated on an unrelated sentence.
John was charged with unlawful confinement and aggravated assault in the Megan Gallagher case.
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“We’ll never heal from this, we’re always going to be damaged by this.” says the victim’s father.
Officers said he was taken to Saskatoon, and remains in police custody.
This is the third person within a week who has been arrested and charged in this case, and investigators said they anticipate more arrests as the investigation continues.
“Our goal is to hopefully bring Megan home.” says Grant Obst, Saskatoon Police Staff Sergeant for the Major Crimes Section.
The major crime section of Saskatoon police will coordinated an extensive search of the South Saskatchewan River and its banks in the St. Louis area.
“In whatever form it has to be, if Megan can come home, that’s an important piece.” says Gallagher’s father.
Gallagher’s father says the area of the search was walked by their families ancestors.
“If it is true that she was dropped off the bridge, or disposed of in the river here, she’s with he ancestors. That’s the only solace I can get.”
A number of civilian search and rescue personnel, members of the Provincial Protective Services, and purpose-trained K9 teams from the Calgary Police Service assisted in the search.
The search was scheduled to occur over four days, beginning Thursday and concluding Sunday.
Police say further information will be released when it becomes available.