On Thursday, a thick line of yellow police tape extended from the front doors of the Rose Garden Hospice to the western outskirts of a nearby bush area that is known to house a large homeless encampment. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public safety

Death investigation connected to ongoing issues with homeless people, says staff member at hospice

Aug 1, 2025 | 12:39 PM

Editor’s note: this story was updated on Friday at 2:30p.m. to include information related to a murder charge.

The business manager at the Rose Garden Hospice in Prince Albert is confirming security has been stepped up and everything is being done to help staff, volunteers and residents feel safe.

Lancy Sawatzky is responding to an incident in Prince Albert on Thursday that has since developed into a murder investigation. For the greater part of the day, a thick line of yellow police tape extended from the front door of the hospice to the western outskirts of a nearby bush area – an area roughly the size of a small city block.

“I’ve talked to all the families and just let them know that we have to let the police do what they need to do and we will react accordingly. I just told them their safety continues to be of utmost importance to us and we’re doing everything we can on our end,” Sawatzky said.

The bush area provides shelter for the city’s homeless and Sawatzky confirmed ongoing issues related to to increased foot traffic and people coming to the hospice for help. At no time was a resident or staff member ever threatened.

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“You know we’re nice to them so they feel like they feel some safety within the community here. Nobody’s come inside ever, but I feel they think they will receive aid here.”

A fotensics vehicle sits parked beside the bushline. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The bush line is owned by Sask Energy and Sawatzky confirmed discussions as recently as Thursday relating to having a crew come and take it down.

“There were concerns about some nesting for certain birds and they were waiting till that kind of finished up but I’ve actually talked to Sask Energy just this afternoon and they are kind of upping the level of importance to this. They have said they will take care of it within a week.”

Sawatzky also confirmed discussions with both MLA Eric Schmalz’s and Premier Scott Moe’s offices, adding both offered their support.

“I feel like that demographic doesn’t like to be seen so if we can make it a little bit more visual in there, maybe they won’t congregate in there and go somewhere else. But it would be nice to keep the greenery and keep a bit of that windbreak,” she said, adding bylaw has also come through on multiple occasions and cleared people out.

“They’re going to keep coming back until there’s nothing to come back to.”

paNOW reached out to Sask Energy for comment and they replied with an emailed statement.

“We are actively reviewing all options to address safety concerns as quickly and responsibly as possible.”

Ian Dickson, who is charge of community engagement and philanthropy with the Rose Garden Hospice Association added the larger issue is we need a place for the homeless to go.

“We’re trying to work very closely with strategic planning and with the city and see how our input can help develop a plan”

Dickson who also acknowledged a high amount of foot traffic near the hospice, confirmed they will be open and transparent with all the families involved and do have security measures in place.

“Of course we review those when something like this happens. The safety and security of the people in this facility was never under threat,” he said.

Sawatzky who confirmed their doors are locked and there is a buzzer to get in, encouraged all their visitors to be patient and stated they will review their policies on a day-by-day basis. 


According to a statement released Thursday afternoon by the Prince Albert Police Service, at approximately 8:50 a.m. on July 31, officers were called to the 500 block of 39th Street West for a suspicious person. Further information stated someone had potentially located a deceased person.

Officers quickly arrived on scene and located a deceased male.

On Friday, police confirmed the identity of the deceased to be 36-year-old Lyle Ballantyne. A 56-year-old man has been charged with second degree murder and will appear in court on Tuesday.

A family member of a resident told paNOW she was told a bloodied man came up to the hospice but was not let in and police were called soon after. It was not clear if this was possibly the person who was found dead or the one who was arrested.

The cause of the man’s death remains under investigation. The autopsy results are expected on Aug. 6.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social