Ep 4. Burning Season

The Case That Haunts Me is a true crime series that delves into the experiences of seasoned detectives and how certain cases have stayed with them long after the fact. In season 1, episode 4 titled "Burning Season," viewers are introduced to the case of a young woman who disappeared without a trace over 15 years ago.

Detective Jeff Bangild recounts his involvement in the case, which began in the fall of 2002 when Tammy Keeash, a 17-year-old Indigenous girl from North Caribou Lake First Nation, was reported missing by her family. Keeash was last seen with a group of people who had allegedly been drinking and partying in the remote community of Sandy Lake. Despite search efforts by police and community members, no trace of Keeash was found.

Months later, in the spring of 2003, another Indigenous woman went missing from the same community. Maisy Odjick was 16 years old at the time and had been hanging out with friends in the evening when she vanished. Like with Keeash, authorities and volunteers searched for Odjick but could not locate her.

Detective Bangild describes how he and his team realized the striking similarities between the two cases and began investigating them as possibly connected. Their efforts led them to uncover disturbing evidence of a practice known as "burning season," in which certain individuals would kidnap Indigenous women and take them to remote locations where they would be sexually assaulted and then killed and burned.

As the investigation unfolded, the team faced challenges such as a lack of cooperation from some community members and a lack of forensic evidence. However, their persistence paid off when they were able to make a breakthrough in the case.

While "Burning Season" is a difficult episode to watch due to its disturbing subject matter, it sheds light on the all-too-real issue of violence against Indigenous women in Canada and the ongoing efforts to seek justice for those who have been victimized. The episode is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of law enforcement officers like Detective Bangild who work tirelessly to bring closure to families and communities affected by these heinous crimes.