Whitehorse Daily Star

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A MOMENTOUS LOSS – Tanner Sinclair is being remembered as a devoted partner who adored his daughter and was keenly anticipating the upcoming birth of his next child. He was murdered earlier this week.

‘Wonderful’ family man mourned as manhunt wears on

As the community grieves the loss of a father, husband and friend, the outpouring of support and generosity continues in the form of donations to Tanner Sinclair’s family.

By Rhiannon Russell on July 18, 2014

As the community grieves the loss of a father, husband and friend, the outpouring of support and generosity continues in the form of donations to Tanner Sinclair’s family.

The 27-year-old died early Tuesday morning in hospital after he was stabbed in Whitehorse’s Copper Ridge neighbourhood.

An online fund-raiser for his pregnant wife, Whitney Sandulak, and their three-year-old daughter, Keele, has raised more than $65,000 so far. Sandulak is due in September.

“They were very much in love,” Ann Asquith, owner of The Studio in Granger, where Sandulak works as an administrator, told the Star.

“He was a real family guy. He must have phoned her or texted her at least four times a day every day. He would drop by (the studio) and see her.... He would walk in the door, just a great big, really handsome guy. He would completely fill the doorway.”

It was Sinclair’s birthday last week, Asquith said, and Sandulak organized a party and cooked for him.

“He was a wonderful father,” Asquith said.

“You could tell he just adored his wife, adored his daughter, was really excited about the upcoming baby.” - Ann Asquith

Asquith’s own husband died in a plane crash when her children were five and six. She felt compelled to help Sandulak and started a fund-raiser at The Studio.

“You can pretend all you like that money isn’t important, but it’s critical at this time,” she said.

“She’s going to need an awful lot of money. It’s expensive bringing up two kids. And you almost want to treat them to more things because they haven’t got a daddy.”

Sinclair worked at Glacier Drilling in Whitehorse and spent years working as a sheep hunting guide. He was a native of Pincher Creek, Alta.

Sinclair and his father are well-known in the hunting community

Condolences, comments and photos of Sinclair have been posted on several online hunting message boards.

To donate to Tanner Sinclair’s Family Fund, visit: gofundme.com/bo3z98. To donate to the fund set up by The Studio, call 456-2748.

A memorial will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Circle D Ranch near Whitehorse.

Meanwhile, RCMP continue to search for the suspect in Sinclair’s killing, 32-year-old Michael Thomas MacPherson.

He is considered armed and dangerous.

They announced Thursday they had found one of two cars associated with MacPherson but are also looking for an older red Toyota Corolla.

It has several dents and may have the Yukon licence plate number HHS50.

Police said MacPherson has connections in British Columbia and Saskatchewan and may have left Whitehorse.

He may also be using the names Michael Pound or Michael Proud.

A Caucasian male with brown hair and blue eyes, MacPherson is 5’10” tall and weighs 220 pounds.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has sold a red Toyota Corolla within the last month.

Anyone with information about MacPherson’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Whitehorse RCMP at 667-5555.

See editorial

Comments (13)

Up 0 Down 0

Brian strom on Apr 5, 2019 at 5:08 pm

I watched the video of Whitneys Ram the other day and didn't know what had happened until i did some research into what had happened. I am 64 years of age and spent quite a number of years in the brown brothers elk and sheep camp on the Panther river west of Sundre and know what it is like to fall in love with the mountains the game and the people. There is a lot more to the hunt than taking an animal. I watched the video again and broke down and cried my eyes out absolutely heartbroken. I don't know any of you folks but my heart breaks from your loss and wish all of tanmans family and friends the very best in life. I hope I may be able to meet you all one day. It would be an honor. God bless.

Up 0 Down 1

Dave ward on Jan 10, 2015 at 7:08 pm

I just watched his last sheep hunt he seemed like a very wonderful man the way he cared for his wife on the trip. I'm not sure where he was with Jesus. I hope he new Him. But we all need Jesus so that we can Love And Support One Another The Way God Intended In The Begining. My Prayers go out to Tanners Family. And if Tanner knew Jesus he's in Heaven most likely looking for a big sheep right now. May our Lord Jesus Bless And Keep You All. Please live Peacefull and Godly lives.

Up 4 Down 1

Hope on Jul 23, 2014 at 3:41 pm

Condolences and prayers to his wife and child and his family. May God guide and you and hold you the days to come. RIP Tanner.

Up 16 Down 3

no Abe on Jul 22, 2014 at 10:56 am

Abe--Of course there is always more to the story, but it's not always the worst! Ever think that maybe innocent people can be harmed and it doesn't always involve drinking getting out of hand or drugs (assuming that's what you are referring to)?

Up 13 Down 0

Josey Wales on Jul 21, 2014 at 5:47 pm

Folks upon re-reading my post...it could seem as though I was eluding to include Tanner among our many criminals running free here. Absolutely not was that my intent, I knew not Tanner and apologize to anyone here that took my post that way.

For clarity I was referring to the dude who is alleged to have slain him, and the many like him we have here.
If you think the fugitive is the only one in town capable of such violence, unfortunately you are very naive as we have many...too many.
I could care less about up/down...it just clued me in to re-read, and do the right thing say sorry to those I upset.
Sorry.

Up 5 Down 11

scot mcdougald on Jul 21, 2014 at 12:21 pm

There is more to this story, as everyone is asking.. there has to be. Strikes me as funny as to a guy just randomly stabs another guy? Seem's odd...don't you think? As from the stories I have heard over this past week ....sorry to break people's hearts and belief's but there is more to this than people realize.
My condolence's to the family for the unplanned tragedy, but there is more to this than you may open your eyes to.
The truth will come out when the man is brought in, people can't be judging until they heard the whole story, a disagreement went bad it happens all the time.

Up 15 Down 2

not everyone is scum. on Jul 21, 2014 at 12:16 pm

Abe--yeah...there is more to the story (there always is) but don't assume it's always the worst -- partying got out of hand or drug deal gone wrong. I have heard what this was over and with your attitude, you should wait until this cold blooded murderer is caught and you get to read the story in the papers. Just from the public donations from people who didn't even know him, you'd have to assume that this death was completely tragic and wrong.

Up 25 Down 5

wendy retzler/curtis on Jul 20, 2014 at 5:44 pm

After reading the comments prior to Lindsay; I would just like to say...you are so right "linds" our precious Tanner needs no rumors not hunches as to who or how this horrible thing happened. What we DO KNOW is that we have all lost a wonderful man...a man that deserves the respect and honor of an individual that would do anything for anyone. Bless his soul and all the family and friends that are feeling this today and the days ahead.

Up 42 Down 6

Lindsay Sinclair on Jul 20, 2014 at 3:42 pm

Sorry for the loss of a father, but there has to be more to this story. What kind of thing is that to say? There isn't more to the story, other then a Terrible terrible tragedy... Sad story..
Don't go looking for something that you won't find.

My brother would want his wife to be able to live peacefully in this beautiful community without bu----it being spread around. So don't make it gossip, keep his memories alive if you knew him, and wish you'd had the blessing of knowing him if you didn't.

Thank you.

Up 5 Down 15

Josey Wales on Jul 19, 2014 at 7:19 am

m...I cannot speak as to who was arrested, but I do know this....
We have many many criminal scumbags here in what used to be known as Whitehorse, and you could/should see that scene daily if the interest to fight crime was a serious one.
Despite the myth, our Mounties have lots of "political" interference in trying to do their job. The courts...need I bother beating that dead horse?
Maybe I'm just "blessed" with good eyes but I see stuff virtually everyday that would get a response as you seen downtown, mind you in a healthier less politically correct community.

Up 15 Down 31

abe on Jul 18, 2014 at 6:50 pm

Sorry for the loss of a husband a father , but there must be more to this story than what has been reported . Why was this guy murdered ? Did he have history with the killer ? I guess it will all come out in time , once the fugitive is brought in . Again , my condolences to the bereaved .

Up 16 Down 4

June Jackson on Jul 18, 2014 at 6:02 pm

$65K.. this is why people stay here.. Not so long ago the community was fund raising for a local little guy needing life saving care in Vancouver.. Because there are simply no words for this family to express my condolences, a few dollars will have to say I'm so terribly sorry, I hope this helps you through the rough days ahead. At times like these, I am really proud of my community.

Up 10 Down 14

m on Jul 18, 2014 at 4:35 pm

So, who was arrested Thursday afternoon in the alley by Alexander Street and 3rd? Many RCMP, including undercover cars and officers. Approximately 2:30 p.m. A lot of people assumed it was this guy.

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