Calgary's 6 unsolved murders from 2022: What we know
CTV
Of the 24 homicides in Calgary so far this year, six of them remain unsolved, leaving still-grieving family members desperate for answers.
Of the 24 homicides Calgary has recorded so far in 2022, six of them remain unsolved, leaving still-grieving family members desperate for answers.
Though the Calgary Police Service's homicide unit is working day and night to close all the outstanding cases, Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta says the amount of charges already laid is positive.
"We're currently at a 75 per cent clearance rate, which is actually extremely high for this time of year," Schiavetta said. "Usually it takes a year or two after that calendar year to get to that level."
Of the unsolved deaths, four of six are believed to be linked to organized crime and at least five of the victims were shot.
Schiavetta says shooting-related homicides, particularly those with an organized crime connection, remain the most difficult cases to solve.
"They're targeted, they're pre-planned, they involve – sometimes – electronic surveillance, physical surveillance… and the suspects are trying to disguise their identity. They're trying to rely on witness intimidation. They may be stealing vehicles to use in the crime, they're burning those vehicles afterwards to destroy any evidence. So their goal, obviously, is to defeat the police in their investigation and to get away with murder."
Schiavetta says regardless of whether the victim is involved in organized crime, the goal is always to lay charges and provide closure to the family.