RCMP says 34-year-old man charged with killing Misha Pavelick

Lorne Pavelick stood at a podium at the RCMP’s “F” Division headquarters in Regina on Tuesday, a photo of his son Misha just steps away.

“So, 6,246. Sounds like a large number, right?” the elder Pavelick began. “Well, 6,246 is the days between Misha’s death and today.

“On behalf of the family, I want to express our sincere and grateful thanks to the RCMP Major Crimes and Historical Case Unit. (They were) always respectful (and) always hopeful. They never stopped communicating with us, sharing what they could.”

During a media conference Tuesday, the RCMP shared that a 34-year-old man had been arrested Saturday in Regina and charged with second-degree murder in Misha Pavelick’s death.

Since the accused was a youth at the time of the incident, he can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The man, who’s not in custody, is slated to make his next court appearance in Regina on July 17.

Pavelick was 19 when he was stabbed to death near Regina Beach on May 21, 2006, after a fight broke out at a high school party. The RCMP didn’t share the motive for the stabbing during Tuesday’s media conference.

Investigators with the Historical Case Unit and other officers from specialized units and local detachments have continued to investigate Pavelick’s killing ever since.

RCMP Sgt. Maj. Darryl Milo announces an arrest and charge in the 2006 killing of Misha Pavelick. (980 CJME)

“The question ‘Who killed Misha Pavelick?’ has haunted many, as family, friends and the public and our own investigators sought justice,” Sgt. Maj. Darryl Milo, the officer in charge of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Historical Case Unit, said during the media conference. “Since then, investigators have committed to working diligently to make an arrest on this case, lay charges and hold somebody accountable for Misha’s death.”

Milo said 100 officers from across Saskatchewan have been joined in the investigation by Alberta Mounties and federal investigators as well. He noted all of the investigators were motivated by the desire to provide Pavelick’s family with some closure and to hold someone responsible.

“The units and other members in the RCMP exemplify a basic core social value: Together we can. Together we can,” Lorne Pavelick said. “(They’ve been) prioritizing the greater good and the concept of common welfare and safety.

“We the family, we realize this is not the end, just the beginning of the end. And it renews our hope for justice for our dear Misha.”

Milo said there wasn’t a specific turning point in the case that led to the arrest, but noted instead it was just the cumulative effect of the investigation. However, the RCMP did use one tool that hadn’t been tried before.

In May of 2021, the Mounties released a three-part podcast about the case entitled ‘Who Killed Misha Pavelick?’ The podcast featured the voices of RCMP officers involved in the investigation, other RCMP experts and members of Pavelick’s family.

The podcast had an immediate impact. Milo said nearly 20 people contacted the RCMP shortly after the podcast’s release with information about Pavelick’s death.

“It just allowed us to reach further and make those emotional contacts, with Mr. Pavelick being involved and getting to tell his side of the story and investigators discussing some of their thoughts and ideas throughout this,” Milo said. “It just allowed us to take that extra step.”

That said, more than two years have passed since the podcast was released – and more than 6,000 days elapsed after Pavelick’s death before an arrest was made in a case that generated provincewide interest.

Asked about the length of time that passed, Milo pointed to the fact the stabbing occurred at night during a grad party that he said was attended by more than 100 people.

But while Milo said the passage of time made the investigation difficult, it also may have prompted some people to come forward with information.

“When you’re 17 (or) when you’re 18, maybe friendship is more important than anything,” Milo said, “and as people get older, priorities in life change (and) experiences change them, so I think that was ultimately what brought us here today.”

The Mounties said they are hopeful others who were at the party will talk among themselves after the arrest and perhaps provide some more detail as the investigation continues.

While charges have been laid as a result of this investigation, other cold cases remain unsolved. Milo said the Historical Case Unit has 162 active files, including 90 homicides and suspicious missing person cases.

“The emotions that those 162 families would feel when they hear the news that this case has resulted in charges — questions about their loved ones and what is being done — I’m sure there’s some joy and comfort that they find when they hear that we’ve laid charges in Misha’s case,” Milo said.

“But there’s probably some other emotions – some negative emotions — that they feel as well, wondering what’s going on with their family’s cases. And we can’t share that information.”

— With files from 980 CJME’s Nicole Garn