THUNDER BAY -- Thunder Bay Police have lashed out at certain media outlets for their recent coverage of the investigations of the deaths of 17-year-old Tammy Keash and 14-year-old Josiah Begg.
Police criticized outlets -- though didn't name any specifically -- for releasing details they say could harm their investigation, particularly in the case of Keeash, whose body was recovered from the Neebing McIntyre Floodway last month.
The full police statement can be read below:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
In any major investigation, the police will gather evidence and other information that may be available from a variety of sources such as witness statements and video images. Documentation and continuity of evidence is critical should a case be determined criminal and proceed to prosecution.
The Regional Coroner's office will be involved in sudden death investigations in efforts to determine the cause of death and to assist with positive identification of the deceased. The police work with the coroner in the investigation focusing on techniques that may lead to a conclusion and could result in an arrest if warranted or rule out criminality.
Depending on the type of investigation, there are a variety of tests that are conducted to analyze the physical evidence that is collected by police. The results help to support an investigation and may be used in the court process.
Police may release information to the media that is deemed necessary to inform the public about an incident. At times there will be information that the police will not release for a variety of reasons to assist investigators to go through relevant and non-relevant information. Information that has not been released by the police has proven to be crucial in many cases and has led to arrests and convictions in a court of law, allowing justice to be served.
A core function of the police in Ontario is to support victims of crime and their families through very tragic and difficult times. The irresponsible reporting on police investigations by some media outlets is inappropriate to the dignity of the victim, to the families that are grieving and obstructive to the investigation. In the end the responsibility is to victims of crime, their families and to put the strongest criminal case before the court.
Since the news conference held by the Thunder Bay Police Service on June 7, 2017, information has be reported through some media outlets alleging certain details about death investigation of Tammy Keeash. The information that has been circulating on media and social media could possibly jeopardize the investigation and/or a potential prosecution should information be obtained that someone may have been responsible for Tammy's death. As the Thunder Bay Police Service has maintained, this continues to be an ongoing investigation with the Regional Coroner's Office and the Criminal Investigations Branch.
TBPS Detectives maintain communication with Tammy's family. Due to this being an open investigation, we will not comment further on the allegations that are circulating and the status of the investigation.
Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the police at 684-1200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.tipsubmit.com.
