The family of Adyson King is seeking answers and justice. (Submitted photo/Gwen King)

By meadowlakeNOW Staff

Justice for Adyson

Family of Adyson King calls for justice; MLTC considers own investigative unit amid frustration with RCMP response

May 7, 2025 | 3:50 PM

The family of an 18-year-old girl from Flying Dust First Nation who was found deceased last month is calling on both the public and the RCMP to help them find answers and seek justice in her death.

Adyson King was reported missing to Meadow Lake RCMP at around 6 p.m. on April 15 and was last seen at approximately 2 a.m. along River Road on the First Nation just north of Meadow Lake. At the time, her family said the disappearance was uncharacteristic of the successful athlete. Her body was found the next day by local searchers.

Adyson’s Auntie, Loretta King, said the family has been living a nightmare ever since.

“Adyson filled our heart with joy from the moment she was born. If you knew her, you would remember her smile, her caring heart and her love for her family. She was really excited to be graduating this year,” said King.

“We are seeking information from the public. Anything, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, could be crucial into understanding what happened. If you have any information about the events leading up to this incident, please contact the RCMP and share the details that are within your heart and soul.”

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On Wednesday, Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) issued a press release detailing frustration from Adyson’s family with the ‘lack of answers and interest observed from the police investigation and the coroner’s office.’

Gwen King, Adyson’s grandma was quoted, “In my view, there appears to be missed opportunities by the RCMP starting from the time of the initial complaint that could have possibly prevented this tragedy. There appears to be a lack of care on their part as the investigation continued. My grand-daughter Adyson deserves justice.”

The family alleges the coroner’s office ‘refused to search for forensic evidence as requested by the family’ and that the RCMP didn’t treat Adyson’s disappearance as a priority and assumed she was a runaway. The MLTC also said the RCMP conducted a drone search in a small area around Meadow Lake without success and they heard excuses that certain search options were unavailable due to resource challenges. It was the intensive ground search that the King family organized that led to her discovery shortly after and within close proximity of the RCMP’s efforts. The family believes foul play led to Adyson’s death.

“The search may be over, but our quest for answers is not,” said Loretta King. “Adyson’s family is calling for a more thorough investigation to uncover the facts in this case.”

In a statement, the RCMP said an investigation remains ongoing in tandem with the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service. At this point, Mounties said evidence gathered to date indicates that Adyson’s death is not criminal in nature.

“The police investigation has included gathering and analyzing evidence, conducting witness statements, as well as consulting with specialized Saskatchewan RCMP units outside of Meadow Lake detachment. We are unable to provide specifics of our investigation to be mindful of its integrity, as well as Adyson’s privacy,” the statement read in part.

“We are having ongoing conversations with Adyson’s loved ones. We acknowledge the immense amount of grief they are experiencing, and that they have questions around aspects of the investigation into her death. We’ll continue to provide them updates – and answer their questions – as the investigation progresses.”

Separate investigative unit under consideration

Meadow Lake Tribal Chief Jeremy Norman shares concerns with the King family.

“This is not the first time one of our Indigenous families has been faced with this kind of a tragedy and unless we have full RCMP cooperation, it will not be the last. Our people deserve answers, closure, and an opportunity to put their loved ones to rest knowing all the details in the case.”

MLTC Vice Chief Norma Catarat said their confidence in the RCMP is so shaken that the tribal council is seriously considering starting its own investigative unit.

“We’re very serious about it,” said Catarat. “The Women’s Commission has done up a report of all the missing and murdered in our area and we have a huge number…especially lately, where the gangs are coming into the communities and the drugs and that’s starting to affect a lot of our communities. We have funerals sometimes two to three times a week due to these issues that are going on.”

Catarat said having their own investigators would allow the Tribal Council to act faster than the RCMP when it comes to missing people; they could assemble their own search parties instead of having to wait for police. She said they’re also considering a mobile unit that would allow them to deploy mental health supports faster and that not everyone has had positive interactions with police in the past, so some are even reluctant to ask for help.

“With the RCMP shortages they have and the workloads that they have, the importance of someone missing doesn’t seem to be as important as it is for the families and communities that have questions and need answers,” Catarat said.

“We need to have our own, our own people doing it where it’ll be a lot easier for us because our culture, our tradition, and our values are different than the mainstream society, so it makes it a lot easier for us to work with our people…rather than rely on a system that has not worked for us.”

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meadowlakeNOW Staff