Woman charged with murder was dating victim: family

Police are calling the death of a 54-year-old man downtown on Easter Sunday the city’s third murder of the year.

Sheritta Kahpeaysewat, 30, was charged with second-degree murder late Monday night in connection to the death of 54-year-old Colin Sutherland.

The former educator originally from the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation was found dead Sunday in a 5th Avenue apartment after police got a call about an injured man around 11:30 p.m.

Kahpeaysewat made her first appearance Tuesday in Saskatoon Provincial Court.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Sutherland’s loved ones said the two had been dating.

Sutherland’s daughter said she didn’t know much about the relationship.

“Honestly I didn’t put the effort into getting to know her … I just didn’t want to meet her I guess,” Kelsie Sutherland said.

“But I didn’t hear of any arguments.”

Colin Sutherland was a teacher and principal at Sakewew High School in North Battleford, a school he helped establish in 2002.

The school was formed through a partnership with Battlefords Tribal Council and the public and Catholic school divisions to offer Indigenous students an opportunity to learn more about their culture as part of their education.

He retired in 2017.

Kelsie said her father had a great sense of humour.

“He was so funny. He was like Michael Scott from The Office,” she said.

“We are so devastated.”

Kahpeaysewat, of the Moosomin First Nation, is known as a singer who has performed at venues across Saskatchewan.

Her friend Bill Landrie said the woman’s family hasn’t been able to talk to her about what may have happened.

He said any sort of violence would be out of character for Kahpeaysewat.

“I wouldn’t have ever thought she would’ve done something like this,” he said.

The charge against Kahpeaysewat has not been tested in court. Police have not released any details surrounding how Sutherland died.

Kahpeaysewat’s case was adjourned to Thursday while she finds a lawyer to represent her.

She’s been remanded to Pine Grove Correctional Centre in Prince Albert and will next appear by video.

—With files from Global Saskatoon.