SASKATOON — A 42-year-old Saskatoon woman has been charged with second-degree murder following the death of 77-year-old Dory Cook, the city’s seventh homicide victim of 2026.
Rachel Jessica Smallboy appeared briefly in Saskatoon Provincial Court on May 5, where the matter was adjourned to May 7 to allow her time to seek legal aid. The Crown is opposing her release and is also seeking to revoke a previous release order.
According to court documents, Smallboy has prior charges that include assault with a weapon, mischief, and several breach of court orders.
Judge Q. D. Agnew imposed several no-contact conditions, banning her from communicating with Jason McCarthy, Darren Gossen, and Terry Lynn Gossen.
Victim remembered as long-time advocate and mental health worker
News of Cook’s death has left family, friends, and colleagues reeling in shock and grief, including Kim Beaudin, former vice-chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. Beaudin said he had known Cook for roughly 50 years, first meeting her as a teenager when she became a friend of his family.
“I just don’t get it – who would murder a 77-year-old woman,” said Beaudin. “I have a feeling it has to do with the work that she did. She was an advocate for people on welfare, on social services."
Cook worked as a mental-health therapist, according to her Linked in profile, which lists her position at Chrysalis Emergence Therapy. Beaudin said she was deeply committed to supporting vulnerable people.
Beaudin said he frequently crossed paths with Cook at meetings connected to their roles. His last memory of her was just before Christmas, at a karaoke bar he visited with a friend who performs as an Elvis impersonator. Cook was on stage that night, singing and playing guitar.
“She liked to sing, she liked to play guitar, she wrote songs,” he said.
Police investigation ongoing
Saskatoon Police Service say officers were called to a home in the the Pleasant Hill area, in the 200 block of Avenue R South around 10 p.m. on May 3 for a report of an injured person. When they arrived, they found Cook dead.
