The mysterious disappearance of Canadian hockey player Duncan MacPherson (2006) - The Fifth Estate
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2023
- In 1989, former Canadian hockey player Duncan MacPherson was starting a new life in Europe as a coach when he mysteriously disappeared during a holiday in the Austrian Alps. His frozen body was found 14 years later. His parents’ quest for the truth only brought some answers, but raised many more questions.
Originally aired: 2006
#CBCFifthEstate #Hockey #Mystery
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About The Fifth Estate: For four decades The Fifth Estate has been Canada's premier investigative documentary program. Hosts Bob McKeown, Gillian Findlay, Mark Kelley and Steven D'Souza continue a tradition of provocative and fearless journalism. The Fifth Estate brings in-depth investigations that matter to Canadians - delivering a dazzling parade of political leaders, controversial characters and ordinary people whose lives were touched by triumph or tragedy.
The police who investigated this case were so irresponsible and their neglect is disgusting!
Not just irresponsible, but the police guy is so flippant, one can't help but call him complicit!
@@kimmykero2421the arrogance of the so called officer is inexcusable. Almost like he is 😂 about the negligence. Terrible behavior.
Sadly, it's all branches of law enforcement everywhere. Needs a total overhaul. Having said that, the RCMP are the worst.
@@deborahstone9696that's something police all around the world share I suppose
That's what we know!!! MAN DO THESE EVIL 😈 beings aren't here for us. THAT'S WASTING OF OUR HARD EARNED MONEY!!!
It’s maddening how the police just smile and laugh it off. Their botched investigation is absolutely disgusting.
Thanks for your interest; and for caring.
Lynda, Bob,, Derrick
I wonder if the Canadian government will help this family get answers. Maybe there should be a travel advisory for Canadians not to travel to Austria.
the police in Austria is both incompenent and lazy. Did nothing to find the boy.
Ski resort saving face paid off the investigation id bet. Dudes way too smug.
"There is very little crime in Austria. Crime doesn't happen here." "The Austrian police don't have time to check every place he might have been" because... we're so swamped with dealing with the lack of crime in Austria.
That’s just what struck me: no crime but no time to investigate one case. What a liar!
Well put.
Lol
Right, but in the meantime, the no crime here thing, is not true anymore...
There is so little crime because if no one investigates...
The Deputy Chief of Investigation takes no accountability. Just terrible. His poor parents. 🥺
A terribly sad story, but a beautiful example of a parents devotion and love for their son.
What a tragedy!
The glacier staff and police should be held accountable!
Condolences to Duncans parents 😢
This is so infuriating to me, a complete stranger. I can't even begin to imagine how his poor parents feel. Duncan and his parents deserve so much more than this!
no excuse
Thank you for understanding, and for caring. Accidents are one thing; coverup is just wrong.
@@lyndamacpherson8366Awe Mrs. MacPearson my condolences to you and your husband and extended family. I grew up in Melville with Chevy. I was playing junior A in 89/90. This story is just horrific. I’m glad at least you had some closure in finding him. May Duncan rest in peace.
@@reubination
Your response is very much appreciated.
Thanks for caring.
Lynda, Bob, Derrick MacPherson
@@lyndamacpherson8366 💗💗💗
Not only is the police incredibly negligent, but also the resort. How is it allowed to be open when there are crevices opening up?????
This is extremely sad:( I don't have high hopes for accountability of authorities anymore.
I had met Duncan in my late teens. He was the nicest guy and I have fond memories of him ( such a flirt! Lol). When I had heard the news he was missing, my heart dropped. He was the same age as me. It’s such a tragedy and travesty of justice and closure. My heart goes out to your family.
I can’t imagine the pain, anger and grief his parents must feel. Shame on the Austrian police
I can, having lost our son to the sea. Waiting to learn if his body would be found was torturous. All the years this family had to wait, AND to be lied to on top of that. I feel for them.
@@wawabbitmy deepest sympathy.
@@LilRavenWolf
Ty
It's shocking for the police to say 'it was an accident therefore the scene was not attended' or the body removed and handled by them. To find out not all of his remains were recovered is complete negligence. I cannot imagine the pain and horror of his parents in finding his remains. There is absolutely reason to reopen the case.
RIP Duncan;. I*m so so sorry your parents went through all that agony frustration and hopelessness!
devastating and disgusting the way this Glacier -not a ski hill is managed, the separation of police and a money making business is called a pay-off, thank-you to Duncan's Family and Fifth Estate for this reporting. I am so sorry.
I'm so sorry for your son's death. I do hope that the government will concede to a proper investigation as it deserves. There were so many neglectful followups; regarding his car, his property, and his rented room. Disgraceful.
The Innsbruck Police were very good at coming up with excuses and hypothetical scenarios, not so good at doing actual Police work.
The parents are just as much victims as their unfortunate son. Heads should roll for this. What vile behaviour on the part of the Austrian police.
Duncan's parents are such genuine and compassionate people. My heart truly goes out to them.❤
What a senseless tragedy. My heart goes out to Duncan's parents, family and friends.
I suspect that Duncan was accidently hit by the snow groming machine. Then pushed into a crevass to cover it up. Those cops new it would destroy that tourism money and helped cover it up.
That sounds very probable
spot on
I think your assessment is indeed what happened
That Austrian police officer or detective for homicides has absolutely no empathy, no compassion, and no ability to care whatsoever about this horrible situation. He is a heartless and unremorseful person who should not even be in that role. He is completely unprofessional.
I've seen many documentaries, and when it comes to people disappearing in Austria, there is a consistent pattern of neglect and underground Mafia related tactics by the police. Their police department and detective homicide investigation team is a complete disgrace.
w what are the other documentaries happening in Austria where the police failed?
My question as well.
💯👍
Absolutely true 👍🏼
This is incredibly sad. The parent's grief is still palpable. What a handsome, talented young man....gone way too soon.
Witness is clearly willing to help the authority BUT the person in charge of the case isn't willing to help the family.
No cadaver dogs brought in when the car was found at the ski hill?? I'm pretty sure the dogs could have located a body, frozen or not. This is horrible.
That cop is unbelievable, arrogant and useless!, the parents are so strong and awesome though.
💯👍
wow that police guy should not be a cop. .
It's a demanding job, but no excuse for his cold indifference.
Duncan’s mother here:
Thank you for your interest in Duncan’s story, and for explaining common law vs civil law systems.
This case is not about laws, or legal systems - it’s about the simple act of telling the truth. That is all we ever expected from the operator, and/or from law enforcement. Is that an unrealistic expectation, regardless of the particular legal system?
I'm betting that if his salary depended on him solving cases you know like a commission, he would find the time. It's ridiculous what he said. It's like me with my business. If I just said oh I have a bunch of orders but g I don't have time to do them. What a crock. I mean that's his job. That's why he's literally there.
@@lyndamacpherson8366I am sorry for your loss ; I am sure Duncan is looking down at you from heaven saying that’s my mom god bless you
Those poor people....the police AND the resort operator need to be held accountable. Shame on them.
Bless these precious parents. So sorry for their tragic loss.
I Would of hated trying to communicate with that police officer 😢 Seems so Heartless ❤ What a Sad story
How do you not have time to investigate this crime when you say you're from somewhere with no crime?
I've had extensive avalanche and glacier safety training in the Alps . Ski pistes on glaciers are inherently dangerous, regardless of how often the crevasses are filled in .
The incompetence of police, the lies from the glacier ski rental owner,& the red car that sat in the ski hill parking lot for 42 days without anybody noticing when the owners of the ski hill knew a skier was missing, the complete indifference from every level of the police investigators in Austria, should have raised red flags What an astonishing level of incompetence & disinterest in solving the mystery of a tourist who disappeared on a a glacier with many crevasses. Shocking ! My only other question is why did the Canadian government not demand an investigation from Austria.
Sadly, the Canadian Foreign Affairs personnel in Vienna and in Ottawa dismissed us, choosing instead to believe the lies of Austrian officials. It was very disappointing to learn our government simply did not care what happened to Duncan.
Thanks for caring
It is a sad fact sports are more important than people's lives. And so many times the police cover things up so how do you know what happened? I find police to be very irresponsible.
Sports? You mean money, from tourism.
“We don’t do missing persons on the weekend”. Canada’s finest.
My jaw dropped.
What a gorgeous, talented young fellow. What a tragic loss.
I think the resort didn't want a bad reputation . Terrible.
So incredibly handsome and the kind of man that's hard to find these days, he was most certainly not a beyta male 😅❤
The shop operator who rented the equipment knew on that very day that Duncan had fallen into a crevice.
@@fernfreeman1729
I believe your assessment is right. Police never even took a statement from him until a year later, after I had complained to the public prosecutor..
@@lyndamacpherson8366 Lynda, I’m a bit confused and hope you won’t mind the clarification; it was a somewhat murky explanation, presumably to not outright accuse someone of conspiracy. But if that plow-like machine went over him, he was NOT in a crevice…correct? Thank you. Your son was such a handsome, talented young man. My heart goes out to your family. 💜
Was there ever an investigation into the driver of the machine that was on duty that afternoon?
No, there was no investigation whatsoever.
poor parents. i wouldn't trust the police either. id be doin the same as them looking for my kid.
r.i.p ❤
Absolutely tragic..🙏🙏 from Scotland 🏴🇨🇦
Horror..may God heal this family
Very sad story. RIP
Lying about the snowboard and the operator feeling in the cracks it's so sad and obvious that he was probably alive
This man interviewed from the police department is a real joke. Gross negligence and zero interest.
This policeman has no heart. How irresponsible these people are. My hesrt goes out to Mr. And Mrs. McPhearson. 🙏🙏
He's worst than a psychopath
@@Moodboard39👍
This is the second missing person's case in Austria I've seen where the Austrian police/government shame the victim and their parents and fail them utterly. What's that about?
And what it's all about is money!
@@lesleyhughes3174and laziness on everyone's part..terrible behavior
the way this family was treated is absolutely horrendous! RIP Duncan!
As an Austrian living in Canada for 37 years, I am saddened to see what happened with Duncan.
What a terrible Chief of police. No wonder the incompetence of the investigation.
This is such a tragedy, in so many ways...left me in tears.
Here again we find the old saying that there is no situation so dire that the police cannot make worse.
Simply, why wasn't the alarm sounded that at 4pm and especially when seeing the car left in the parking lot!?
Prayers for the family 🙏🙏🙏 💔🙏🙏
These poor parents, those cops should be charged with mishelding evidence
May the family find peace ❤❤❤❤
What an incompetwnt police officer!
That detective or police office . Whomever he is needs to be fired.
Police: this is a safe quiet town not much crime
Parents: our son disappeared here please investigate
Police: we are too busy to dig up details like u found at the hostel
All my sympathy to the family and friends ❤
The most inept police department ever. If it wasn’t for the Mac Phersons persistence he probably never would have been found. I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it would be to physically find your sons remains left to rot on a mountainside like garbage. Devastating story!
How sad and frustrating. This shows that Duncan had GREAT LOVING parents. So very sorry for your loss and the nightmare you've suffered through.
May he rest in peace now you've found him. My heart breaks for all who knew him. Proud to be Canadian.
Next step should be to sue the Austrian government and police and all the other negligent parties. A lawsuit before an international court of law.
This case just takes me back to two other young Canadian guys who were Andrew’s age. John Connelly 😢🙏🏾 and Joe Grozelle😢🙏🏾 Their murders still remain a mystery to this day and I’m still so saddened by how careless their investigations went just as bad as Andrew’s🙏🏾😢 Forever RIP to all 3 of them❤️
I’ve always wanted to hear this story.
So much ignorance and lack of compassion from the police; the very force that should serve and protect...
If only those officers get the joy in experiencing a lost loved one. Absolutely disgusting and shameful
🎯
That police officer is callous, indifferent and so incompetent,he should resign in shame.
Shame on the Austrian police. Dreadful.
You laid out a very compelling case for the glacier ski hill management staff having been negligent in Duncan's death, and the condescension and indifference from law enforcement is the typical experience. ACAB. Hope the parents can find peace now at least knowing where he is.
The officer who jumped into a rushing lake during the floods last year to save my drowning 5 year old daughter was far from a basted, although I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that others definitely are.
German descent. Coldness, so different to so many other parts of the world.
@@lesleyhughes3174 Phhhh..... whatever.
@@MRantzWI I have experienced their attitude, travelled there. Been amongst them in my own country. You on the other hand 🙄😴
All Canadians need to boycott Austria. ACAB
42 days?!?! It screams "someone investigate" after 2 days!! That resort is guilty!!
I feel so sad. I wish the parents could demand a proper postmortem at the time of recovery of the body.
Duncan’s mother here:
Thank you for your interest in Duncan’s story.
Some background info:
a) Circumstances surrounding Duncan’s disappearance were undeniably suspicious, raising questions of third-party liability, and possible coverup of a fatal accident.
b) For 14 years, the case was an unsolved criminal matter, suspended pursuant to section 412 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. (Note: during the time the investigation is suspended, the statute of limitations is also suspended)
c)The prosecutor assured us criminal proceedings would continue if and when Duncan’s body was found.
d) The prosecutor also assured us of state procedures in place in the event an unidentified body is found: “ The local police inform the prosecutor. An investigation follows in which all necessary and possible steps (including forensic autopsy) are taken to determine the identity of the body, and to determine the cause of death.”
e) When Duncan’s body was found, the prosecutor refused to conduct an autopsy. He told us that a statute of limitations prevented an investigation of cause and manner of death. .
f) The coroner falsified the Report of Death, indicating that an autopsy had been conducted.
g) officials falsely informed the Canadian Embassy, “The exact cause of death was determined at the Institute of Forensic Medicine.”
I hope this info helps to give you a better understanding of the story.
Thanks for caring
Oh, Mrs. MacPherson, I just read the further details that you supplied to the other person writing in.
I feel literally sick to my stomach.
This hits me so hard as I still cry for my boy and I still cry for anyone who must go through such an unspeakable loss. I’ve been alone all through my grief. Counsellors here have been as useless as the police you dealt with (still dealing with?).
Again, I can’t imagine having the strength & courage that you have had to fight through this.
I would’ve been ready to tear someone limb from limb, I think.
I must go back now to finish watching this video.
I had stopped part way through when I knew I was about to cry & wanted to reach out to you to assure you that there are people out here who care and support you in whatever way possible.
I remember this case...infuriating!❤ Love to the MacPhersons 🙏 Why does her saying "truth" seem censored?? 32:57
Thanks Austria, great advertisement for about the only thing anyone goes there for, good to know money is more important than people's lives on your precious slopes, guess what, just makes it easier to narrow down my next ski trip, your dismissive, smart*ss police chief, and the little red car that sat there for 42 days, it's not airport parking, small park area. So many other great slopes around the world with better amenities. RIP Duncan..
Italy, France, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Australia, China and Kazakhstan to name a few!
New Zealand!! European athletes come here to practice in the snow for their next season.
a beginner, a dog could find him the same day
Duncan was on his way to play for my team the Dundee Tigers in Scotland , it was so sad .
Duncan’s mother here. Thanks for your interest. I know Duncan would have loved Scotland.
That poor family
Courageous parents. Thank you but so sad for your journey. I would do the same!
Shouldnt there have been at least some sort of health and safety investigation done once the body was found? If that is even a thing in Austria. Is there a civil prosecution option available against the ski field operators? You can tell the police are getting kickbacks from this business, hence their absolutely abhorrent attitude.
May you rest in peace Duncan ❤
Very incompetent police
I'D DEMAND FOR INTERPOL TO INVESTIGATE THIS ACCIDENT TURNED HOMICIDE...
So sorry for the parents. Terrible police. I know one county I will not visit
Incompetence all the way around it's all you can say and I'm very sorry for the loss of your son👍🏼😎🇨🇦
The arrogant of the police chief he’s just got under my skin his demeanour is really unprofessional and disgusting... my heart breaks for the family and my condolences to them
Definitely protecting the ski resort image 💰 probably brings in big bucks... R.I.P Duncan
I can't believe there isn't some kind of policy to check on abandoned cars, especially since the lot was usually emptied every day by 6:00 pm.
My heart goes out to the family ❤
The standard of services provided by governmental and private entities differ widely in different jurisdictions, and depend on their legal system and tradition. Austrian law is based on the Roman legal tradition and does not provide the same standards of civil responsibility and fiduciary duty obligations as English and Protestant jurisdictions. Common Law fiduciary duties and civil liability standards are based on the Principle of Fraternity which constitutes a very elevated standard of interpersonal respect. Member-countries of the EU must eventually harmonize their respective legal systems: hopefully Roman Law systems will then highlight and enforce the Principle of Fraternity that is normally embodied in democracies based on the French Republic model.
Thanks for your interest in Duncan’s story, and for your input on the different legal systems. This case is not about laws or legal systems - it’s about the simple act of telling the truth. I don’t think it is unrealistic to expect police and state attorneys to be truthful, regardless of the jurisdiction.
i was a skier. this made me sick. i had a dream i helped find him. this story really affected me.
I just watched t u e episode of the last aired 2011.Such a sad story.The Ski lodge should be responsible for his death ?😮
First RCMP and then the Polizei in Austria. If you don't have any crime, why don't you have time to look into a missing person?
What about the RCMP?
"We don't deal with missing persons on weekends". ... What the af????
Dont go there RIP condolences to the family
At first, my condolences to the People of Duncan Macpherson! And as an Austrian, I am shocked and embarrassed, - I am so sorry...
Thank you for understanding, and for caring
Lynda MacPherson
Why was a ski boot found near the body? That is a typical rear entry ski boot from the day. The board had typical soft boot bindings on it not a hard boot binding like the one seen behind the man who had described falling into a crevasse. This is strange.
And what is the Canadian Government doing about this since the Austrians aren't doing anything??
STEP UP CANADA and help this family.
You'd think that after 2 days at most t parking attendant would automatically think someone is injured out there.
What an appalling police man.
Wow I thought American police were incompetent.
That's sad!
Shame shame shame. An analysis of the paint should 100 be done to see what is origins might be.
What wasn't there a lawsuit