The territory has recorded its first murder of 2023, and Whitehorse RCMP are seeking the public’s help to solve it.

Police have confirmed the incident which occurred early last Thursday morning in the vicinity of  Fourth  Avenue and Ogilvie Street is being investigated as a homicide.

The victim has been identified as  35-year-old Aaron Smarch of Carcross.

“At approximately  5:20  a.m., a  911  call was received that a person was laying on the ground,” police said over the weekend.

“Police immediately attended and located the injured person and began life saving efforts.

“Yukon EMS (Emergency Me-dical Services) transported the injured person to the hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.”

Officers performed continual risk assessment that showed no risk to the public nor schools in the area.

A nearby school was contacted to give notice of the police activity in the area. 

The area was closed to traffic, and reopened at about 1 p.m.

The Yukon RCMP Major Crime Unit, with the assistance of the Yukon’s chief coroner, is leading 
the investigation.

The unit is seeking anyone who may have had contact with, or is aware of the Smarch’s whereabouts between  1 a.m. and  5:20 a.m. last Thursday.

Investigators are also seeking anyone with information, or who may have seen suspicious activity in the area and the neighbourhoods and businesses located in downtown Whitehorse between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. last Thursday.

“The Yukon RCMP extends their condolences to the family and friends of Aaron Smarch,” 
police said.

“Appreciation is extended to the residents and businesses of downtown while we are conducting our investigation and the supporting agencies who are assisting in this effort.”

Anyone with information about the homicide, or with information that could help further the investigation, is asked to contact the Whitehorse RCMP Major Crime Unit at 667-5551.