Regina police appeal for help in year-old slayings

Regina police are turning to social media for help in their investigation into the year-old slaying of three Burmese refugees, including a three-year-old boy.

Saturday will mark one year since the bodies of Gray Nay Htoo, his wife Maw Maw and their son, Seven June, were found in a townhouse at 323 Oakview Drive.

Chief Troy Hagen said Thursday police are now sending out a request for information in the Karen language, the native language of the victims, who had only recently arrived in Canada. Police have posted an audio recording on the police service's website, YouTube and other sites appealing for information about the killings.

"We are doing this because we feel strongly that there is information out there that we have not been able to access," said Hagen. "If those who have that information communicate only in Karen, then it makes sense for us to ask in that same language."

In February 2011, investigators posted information about the case on a Karen-based website (www.kwekalu.net), but this will be the first time that visitors to this site and that of the Regina Police Service will be able to hear the appeal spoken in Karen.

Hagen said tips continue to flow in and investigators remain busy. A team of seven investigators is dedicated to the case which, at times has included the efforts of up to 23 other officers, depending on the needs of the investigation.

About 250 interviews with approximately 130 people have been completed in one of the largest investigations ever conducted by the force, police said. 

Regina police are asking anyone with information that could assist in the investigation to contact the Regina Police Service at 777-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Investigators have theories and potential suspects, police said, but further evidence is being sought to lay charges.

"We share our community’s concern over this terrible, tragic event which took three lives," Hagen said. 

"The fact that a year has elapsed since the discovery of the bodies of Gray Nay, Maw Maw and Seven June does not change our commitment to this case. It is still a very active investigation."