Police lay second murder charge in homicide investigation

Saskatoon’s first homicide of 2022 is now being investigated as a double homicide.

Saskatoon police issued an update Friday morning to identify the two stabbing victims in Caswell Hill.

Kira Opoonechaw, 19, died from her injuries on Wednesday. Phoenix Checkosis, 21, died in hospital Thursday.

A 20-year-old man originally charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder will now be charged with a second count of second-degree murder. He remains in police custody.

A vigil outside an apartment building on the 400 block of Avenue B North. (Dallas Dahlseide/650 CKOM)

His next scheduled appearance at Saskatoon Provincial Court is on Jan. 24.

Police were called to a home in the 400 block of Avenue B North at 1:40 p.m. Wednesday with reports of an injured person.

There, officers found Checkosis and Opoonechaw suffering from stab wounds. Both were taken to hospital.

The 20-year-old suspect was found a short distance away from the scene.

Opoonechaw, Checkosis and the suspect were known to each other.