Police extend landfill search in Mackenzie Trottier missing person case

Police are extending a search at the City of Saskatoon’s landfill as officers dig through the dump for evidence in the disappearance of Mackenzie Trottier.

Trottier was 22 years old when she was last seen leaving her home on Trent Crescent on December 21, 2020. Police said data collected last year identified a specific area of the landfill on Valley Road which could contain evidence in the investigation.

While 33 days were set aside for the search, which began on May 1, the efforts will continue beyond that deadline.

Mackenzie Lee Trottier was last seen on Dec. 21, 2020. (findmackenziet.com)

“To allow for the completion of this search, the Saskatoon Police Service is extending its timeline beyond the initial conclusion date of June 3, 2024 for an undetermined length of time,” the Saskatoon Police Service said in a statement.

“The no-fly zone that was put in place in the airspace above the landfill has also been extended for the duration of the search.”

Officers have already searched an area 930 square metres in size, the police service said, with help from a forensic anthropologist and specially trained dogs on loan from the RCMP and Calgary police.

That area was identified thanks to GPS trackers on garbage trucks.

In a previous interview, deputy police chief Cam McBride said there are multiple potential outcomes for the search.

“On one hand, we would like to find nothing and then we’ll continue looking,” he said. “On the other hand, we may find her and then we’ll proceed down the next course of the investigation.”

Paul Trottier, father of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, addresses the media. (Will Mandzuk/650CKOM)

Paul Trottier, Mackenzie’s father, was present when police began the search at the start of the month.

“This is a place that nobody wants to be,” he said.

“Emotionally, it’s difficult.”

–with files from The Canadian Press