Traffic on Highway 952 was restricted on Monday. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public Safety

Lakeland Reeve responds to discovery of dead body at Emma Lake

Aug 25, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The Reeve for the District of Lakeland is reassuring the public the area is safe.

Walter Plessl is responding to the dead body found Monday at MacIntosh Point. The deceased has since been identified as 27-year-old Phillip Okemow. Plessl confirmed for paNOW he had spoken to RCMP but had no further details.

“As far as a threat to the community, there’s absolutely none. I would say the area is very safe. It’s just very unfortunate that a young man has to lose his life,” he said.

Noting overall crime in the area is down, Plessl explained that’s due to both the presence of protective services, as well as the RCMP who he said are constantly monitoring the area.

“I just wanna say thank you to the RCMP again and our protective services, as well as the lakeland fire dept. and the conservation officers that helped keep the area safe while the RCMP investigated,” he said.

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While acknowledging the site of a road being blocked off and the increased police presence could be alarming for the small resort community, Plessl reiterated the area is safe and there is no cause for alarm.

“I feel the lakeland area is safe. I would tell that to anybody and there’s no threat, no worry about anything out here,” he said.

Phillip “Philly” Okemow’s body was found near a set of garbage cans. (Facebook)

As the investigation continues into Okemow’s death, paNOW is aware that in February, 2022 he received a four year prison sentence.

Earlier this month, Okemow was granted a temporary absence, and on Monday, Okemow’s mother posted to social media her son had walked away from Sturgeon Lake First Nation. The following day, she made a plea for her son to call her.

Family members have gathered this week at James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) for support. The wake service will run this weekend and the funeral service has been scheduled for Monday afternoon at JSCN.

paNOW attempted to get comment from Correctional Service of Canada but as of Friday had not received a response.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell