A Fifty Year Anniversary

At 23 years old, Alexandra Wiwcharuk had a blessed life, wonderful parents and great friends. She was Johnny Cash’s Girl in Saskatoon, a beauty queen, a dedicated nurse and a good friend to all. She loved life in every way.  All of this was all taken from her one warm spring night in May.

It was Friday, May 18^th, 1962; Alexandra went for a walk by the river before her midnight shift at City Hospital. Everything happened so fast. She was savagely beaten, brutally raped, and buried alive in a shallow grave, left to die.

It was the end of innocence to the sleepy little city of Saskatoon and a murder mystery to this day that has never been solved. Her family, friends and the community were distraught.  What had happened to this young lady? Why couldn’t the police find her?

Her body had only been a few yards from where they were searching, the only nest of trees on the riverbank, and had not been searched.  Even the police dog came within feet of her. Not until thirteen days after her disappearance was her battered and bruised body found instead by a group of young children. Many questions still remain about the crime, the investigation, and when justice will be served.

May 18^th 2012, marks the 50^th year this case has remained unsolved. Missing evidence, alleged corruption and whispers of a political cover-up still shroud her case. The murderer, or murderers, still seemed to be just out of their reach.

Inspired by the knowledge, that private citizens would assist the authorities by researching the history and uncovering lost information, Alexandra’s extended family mobilized to action in 2004. In 2008, the investigation was made public and the support and information obtained was extensive. The collaboration between the authorities, family members and the public at large has made more progress in the last six years than had been made in the previous forty-six. The family is very confident that the Historical Unit Cold Case Detectives in charge of her case now will solve this murder. We trust them and will continue to support their investigation in any way possible and we are confident the citizens of Saskatoon will continue in their support and guidance as well.

In May we will be having a tribute to Alexandra Wiwcharuk: