Jeans found in search
Volunteers in Rae find pair of pants in search for Catholique clues

by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 14/97) - Residents of Lutselk'e and Rae are waiting to find out if a pair of jeans found on Friday are linked to the Charlene Catholique case.

Sgt. Tom Steggles said Rae RCMP will determine if the jeans could have been worn by Catholique when she disappeared nearly seven years ago. Fifteen at the time, she was last seen walking toward Yellowknife on Highway 3 after visiting friends in Rae.

"They appear to be women's jeans," he said. "Whether or not they are related to our case is yet to be determined."

Steggles said that if police determine the jeans match Catholique's size at the time of her disappearance, they will likely send the pants to the Edmonton crime lab.

The jeans appear to have been found near the North Arm Park in Rae, according to Steggles. This area, he said, has never been searched by RCMP because they have never had anything to lead them to that area. The last search for clues was conducted in June 1995.

While RCMP were officially involved in last week's search, Steggles said that two forensics officers were standing by to investigate any possible leads.

So far, the pair of jeans found on Friday is the only one to turn up.

A $10,000 Crime Stoppers award is still available for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for what police are treating as a murder.