A 40-year-old Inuvik resident is facing a murder charge following a months-long investigation into the disappearance of a 27-year-old man. Waylon Storr was taken into custody on October 16 in connection to the case of Jovan Sandhu, who vanished from the Beaufort Delta region in August.

The search for Jovan Sandhu

Jovan Sandhu was last seen on August 7 at the Tsiigehtchic ferry crossing. After he was reported missing on August 9, authorities launched a massive search operation. Based on the belief that Sandhu might be in the Mackenzie River near the area of Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson, search teams focused their efforts on the water.

The investigation involved a significant collaborative effort, including:

  • The RCMP
  • The Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA)
  • Local community members from Tsiigehtchic

CASARA contributed several hours of flight time and deployed a drone operator to assist in the search. Despite these extensive efforts, Sandhu's body has not yet been recovered.

Evidence leads to murder charge

While the case began as a missing person investigation, it was eventually transferred to the RCMP Major Crimes Unit. During the course of their work, investigators uncovered information that changed the nature of the case.

According to a news release from the RCMP, the Major Crimes Unit "recovered evidence that supported a charge of murder" during the investigation. This evidence led to the arrest of Waylon Storr in mid-October. Storr was scheduled to make a court appearance in Yellowknife on October 20.

What this means for the community

The arrest marks a significant turning point in a case that has occupied local resources and attention since the summer. For the community of Tsiigehtchic and the surrounding Beaufort Delta, the investigation has been a long-term effort involving both professional responders and local volunteers.

As the legal proceedings move forward in the Northwest Territories, the focus will likely remain on the evidence gathered by the Major Crimes Unit. The community and authorities will continue to navigate the complexities of a criminal case where the victim's remains have not yet been located.