Justice for Artchie Gairdner walk well attended

FORT NELSON, B.C. — The family of a Fort Nelson man who was murdered in 2021 was impressed by the number of community members who came out to raise awareness of the unsolved case during a walk in April.

One of Artchie’s nieces, Bonnie Gairdner, says the local RCMP escorted the family during the walk while others joined them along the way.

“I was really happy with the way everything turned out that day,” Bonnie said. “There were a lot of people that came out and supported us.”

Due to her uncle’s love of sports, particularly the Chicago Black Hawks hockey team, the family asked attendees to wear jerseys to show their support.

“The weather was really good,” Bonnie said. “It was actually really hot because I asked everybody to wear their hockey jerseys, and that was the wrong move. We were boiling.”

After they completed their route, Artchie’s family members held a community potluck. The family was expecting around 25 guests but welcomed more people than anticipated, according to Bonnie.

The family also put together candles and stickers in support of Artchie to hand out at the event.

Gairdner’s body was found inside his home in Fort Nelson on April 24th, 2021. Responding officers contacted the North District Major Crime Unit (NDMCU) after believing the death was suspicious.

After an autopsy, the death of the 69-year-old was confirmed to be a homicide, though the cause of death was not released to the family or the public.

“The cause of death will not be released as investigators must strike a balance between protecting key details of the investigation and releasing information,” said Corporal Madonna Saunderson in a statement in 2021.

“This is done to protect the integrity of the investigation to ensure that this matter can be brought before the courts with the necessary evidence for a successful prosecution.”

Anyone with information on Gairdner’s death is asked to contact the Northern Rockies RCMP at 250-774-2700, or Crime Stoppers can be reached at 1-800-222-8477.