A picture of Wesley Custer with his young daughter. (Submitted/ Lee Badger)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Custer Family reacts to murder charges

May 30, 2022 | 10:00 AM

A family from Northern Saskatchewan has moved one step closer to closure.

Last Thursday, RCMP confirmed charges had been laid in relation to the death of Wesley Custer in August 2020. The 20-year-old had been brought to the Shellbrook Hospital with serious injuries but died shortly after he arrived.

Bob Custer, Wesley’s father, told paNOW he has mixed feelings about the recent news.

“I can’t really describe them. I’m mad one minute, then happy, then mad again,” he said, adding he’s grateful charges have been laid.

Wesley is actually Bob’s Custer nephew but was adopted by Bob and his wife when he was about a month old. Bob explained his son called him almost every day.

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“I miss him phoning me and telling me how much he loves me, and telling me not to die because I’m not in good health. But he left me before I left him. That’s what really hurts me,” he said.

Bob said he his son didn’t mention being in any sort of trouble but rather was more concerned about the well being of his family.

Lee Badger, Custer’s older sister told paNOW she was experiencing feelings of happiness, sadness and relief.

“I finally have some peace. I can finally say my brother can rest, Iike a huge weight left my chest I can breathe when I say his name,” she said. “My brother was so young, he didn’t deserve whatever they did to him. He didn’t get a chance to live.”

All three accused have pending court dates next month. Tyson Lachance, who faces the most serious of the charges, second-degree murder, makes his next court appearance on June 23.

Evan and Curtis Ledoux will have their matters spoken to on June 6. Evan is accused of manslaughter, while Curtis was charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Badger said she didn’t recognize any of the names, but added it’s possible she has met or seen them before.

“It gives me assurance that everyone pays for what they do and they can’t get away with doing him in that way,” she said.

In addition to two siblings, Custer also leaves behind two young children, a son and a daughter.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell