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The suspect, now 20, was charged in October with counts of impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death.
RCMP takes on issue of safe drinking
After two young people died while wandering alone into the woods after nights spent partying, the Whistler RCMP initiated talks with several stakeholders in the community to create a safe drinking campaign. The talks are still underway, but as a result of the deaths of DJ Mike Grefner (missing Jan. 17, found on March 10) and David Christian (missing Mar. 18 and found Mar. 21) Whistler Blackcomb is promoting the buddy system for all of its new employees, while door staff at bars are ensuring that people that are intoxicated and alone are finding their way to the taxi loop and bus stops.
2012 also saw the launch of a new Walk Safe program, which was created after Australian national Eleanor Reinecke was struck by a taxi and killed while walking along the side of the highway in January 2011. Walk Safe kits include information on how to get home safely as well as high-visibility reflectors that people can carry with them at night to be more visible to vehicles.
Police assist SPCA in sled dog deaths
One of the biggest stories to rock Whistler in recent years was the revelation that a sled dog company manager, Robert Fawcett, had personally slaughtered dozens of his dogs after a decline in business meant he did not have the means to properly care for them.
The slaughter took place in April of 2010 and the story was reported in January 2011 after it was discovered that the suspect in the case had applied for Worker's Compensation benefits as a result of his mental anguish. In 2012, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) took the lead on the investigation, using local RCMP resources. In May they exhumed the dogs and discovered the carcasses of 54 dogs, as well as evidence that they didn't all die quickly and humanely.
The case went to trial and Fawcett plead guilty to causing unnecessary pain and suffering to nine of the dogs. In November Fawcett was sentenced to three years of probation, a $1,725 fine and 200 hours of community service, and banned from owning a firearm for 10 years. The SPCA and other animal rights advocates condemned the sentence as light.
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June 17, 2013, 5:00 PM
Whistler Blackcomb Foundation donates $300,000 to Centrepoint complex
Social services, church and housing being built by Sea to Sky Community Service and United Church More...
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June 17, 2013, 11:15 AM
Whistler Farmer's Market sees busy first day of operations
Market opens with vendor numbers at maximum More...
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June 16, 2013, 12:30 AM
Neal Kindree takes Test of Metal win
67-kilometre mountain bike race sees 871 racers at the start More...
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