The fugitive wanted over a mass stabbing in Canada that killed 10 people and injured 18 has died in hospital after his arrest, police have confirmed, with sources saying his death was the result of self-inflicted wounds.
Myles Sanderson went into “medical distress” after his arrest and was taken to hospital where he died, Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore of the Royal Canadian Mounted police said in a press conference on Wednesday night. Police found a knife in the truck, which officers had rammed off the road into a ditch, but Blackmore would not comment on the cause of his death.
Sources familiar with the situation earlier confirmed to the Guardian that Sanderson died shortly after being taken into custody, after police rammed his stolen vehicle. They said he had died as a result of self-inflicted injuries. Police sources gave similar accounts to Canadian media outlet Global News and Associated Press.
With Sanderson dead, police may never understand what motivated him in the mass stabbing, Blackmore said.
Police launched a renewed search operation, including aircraft, on Wednesday afternoon after being called to a report of a break-and-enter involving Sanderson armed with a knife, where a Chevrolet truck was stolen.
The truck was later spotted racing along a highway at 150km/h, sparking 20 calls of sightings. To protect the public, police moved in and “directed” Sanderson off the road near Rosthern, Saskatchewan, at approximately 3.30pm, where the arrest was made.
An independent investigation into the circumstances of his death will be held, said Blackmore.
The news came shortly after Sanderson’s parents issued an emotional plea for their son to turn himself in.
Sanderson, 32, faced multiple murder charges for his role in a knife attack that devastated the James Smith Cree Nation, an Indigenous community, and the nearby village of Weldon.
“Myles, my boy, turn yourself in. Please. You can do this,” his mother told CBC News. “Come back. Turn yourself in. Do the right thing.”
Sanderson’s father also called on his son to surrender.
“Myles, please, please turn yourself in. We don’t want no more hurt. I don’t want nobody hurt any more … please, my son. I love you. Turn yourself in. Be safe,” he said.
News of the death came hours after the RCMP and provincial coroner released the names of the 10 victims, whose ages ranged from 23 to 78.
The victims were named as: Thomas Burns, 23, Carol Burns, 46, Gregory Burns, 28, Lydia Gloria Burns, 61, Bonnie Burns, 48, Earl Burns, 66, Lana Head, 49, Christian Head, 54, Robert Sanderson, 49 and Wesley Petterson, 78.
All the victims were residents of James Smith Cree Nation apart from Petterson who lived in Weldon in northern Saskatchewan.
Eighteen other people were wounded in the rampage, which ranks among the worst acts of mass violence attacks in Canada’s modern history. Police said some of the victims appeared to have been targeted, while others were apparently random.
Sanderson’s brother, Damien, 31, who was also initially suspected in the attack, was found dead on Monday near the sites of the attacks. Authorities say his injuries were not self-inflicted.
Sanderson’s parents acknowledged the pain their sons’ actions had caused as the public learned about the lives cut short.
“I want to apologize for my son, my sons. We don’t know the whole story, but I want to apologize to everybody that was hurt and affected by this terrible situation,” his mother said.
His father added:
“I give all my sincere apologies to the families … From the bottom of my heart, I mean it,” the father said. “I am so sorry this happened. I don’t know what else to say, what to do … I wish it was a dream.”
Sanderson’s death put an end to days of fear in the surrounding prairie region where fresh panic had been sparked by a string of false sightings of Sanderson.
Mark Arcand, whose sister Bonnie Burns, and nephew Gregory, were among the victims said the last few days had taken on a surreal quality.
“This terrible tragedy that nobody wanted or asked for. It still feels like it’s a nightmare.”
The stabbing spree has prompted questions over why Sanderson, who had a long history of violence, was out on the street.
Parole documents released on Tuesday showed that he had 59 convictions over 20 years, including for domestic assault, assault with a weapon and attacking a police officer.
The records also showed that seven years ago, he attacked and stabbed one of the victims killed in the weekend rampage.
On Tuesday, the public safety minister, Marco Mendicino, said he was “extremely concerned” following reports the country’s parole board granted Sanderson statutory release after serving two-thirds of his sentence despite concerns he might reoffend.
He was serving a four year and four month federal sentence for assault, assault with a weapon and assault of a police officer.
“I am assured that the parole board of Canada will be undertaking an investigation of this decision. I think the process for review begins there, but it certainly does not end at that point,” Mendicino told reporters.
• In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 and online chat is also available. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
