"As the Mounties prepare to pack their bags ( to go to
Mexico all expenses paid) , here are 10 questions that need to be
answered:
1. Who was in Room 4143 of the Barcelo Maya Beach Resort and, more
importantly, when?
The room — just down the hall from the Ianieros in 4134 — was the
only one with traces of blood on the key slot, the remote control, the
refrigerator and the bathroom taps, according to Rodriguez. There was a bloody
trail between the rooms.
Rodriguez said everything pointed to the two Canadians who were in 4143.
Canadian vacationers Cheryl Everall and Kimberly Kim from Thunder Bay checked
out of 4143 the morning of Feb. 20.
But if, indeed, such blood evidence existed, why did news reports say the
room was rented out that same day?
The new guests apparently were asked to wait on their terrace while
police checked out the room. Shouldn't a secondary crime scene have been
sealed off?
2. Why did maids clean up blood in the hallway and in the Ianieros'
room so soon?
The bodies reportedly were found around 8 a.m. on Feb. 20. Everall
and Kim told reporters in Thunder Bay that, around that time, they heard
crying, shouting and the sound of broken glass. They looked out and saw a maid
cleaning the floor, adding that it was chaos. Other tourists said maids were
cleaning the hallway, washing away bloody footprints.
3. Why did Rodriguez conclude so quickly the murders were committed by
Canadians, with the finger pointing at the Thunder Bay women as prime
suspects?
Reuters news agency reported from Mexico the day of the slayings that
the lead suspects were Canadian. Police leaked the same day that the suspects
were on their way back to Canada.
But the Everall-Kim flight didn't leave Cancun until 2 p.m. Surely, if
police were so certain, and evidence in Room 4143 so compelling, investigators
could have gotten to the departure lounge at Cancun International Airport,
about 80 kilometres up the Yucatan Peninsula from the crime scene at Playa del
Carmen.
Police had misspelled versions of the suspects' names. Everall and Kim
came forward, first to a lawyer, then to police in Thunder Bay, after reading
reports on Yahoo. But even with a misspelled version of the suspects' names,
police work could have been done at the airport.
4. Why were Mexican suspects ruled out so quickly?
Within two days, Rodriguez said hotel employees couldn't have been
involved. "Canadians are the ones who came to kill other Canadians, that much
is clear." Did his team question Mexicans — including hotel staffers — in a
state where just last December another tourist couple was murdered?
5. What forensic evidence was gathered at the crime scene and was the
chain-of-custody of the evidence preserved?
For example, were fingerprints taken? We know hotel guests weren't
questioned in Quintana Roo, apparently in order not to spook tourists. Can we
assume guests weren't asked to volunteer fingerprints? What crime-scene
photographs were taken? Are they complete? Was blood spatter noted, including
height and characteristics? Was the room swept for fibres before it was
vacuumed? What about hair samples?
6. Were autopsies done in Mexico and what tests were completed?
Police said the couple died between midnight and 3 a.m. However, Dr.
James Young, Ontario's former chief coroner, has said in the past that,
without compelling evidence, it is very difficult for authorities to be
precise about time of death. Was body temperature taken? What about blood
characteristics, including pooling? Were all characteristics of the fatal
wounds noted, including precise depth? Did forensic experts, who work
separately from the coroner's office in Mexico, determine how the knife was
wielded to kill the Ianieros? Were autopsies done in Playa del Carmen or later
in Cancun? Why did Rodriguez tell reporters the bodies would be released Feb.
23? Why weren't they released for several more days?
7. Why didn't the Canadian government step in immediately and assume a
more proactive role?
The honorary Canadian consul on the ground in Cancun was left in charge
of the case. But once Canadians were implicated by name, it was clear a
stronger presence was necessary. Liberal MP Dan McTeague
(Pickering-Scarborough East) was the first to criticize government inaction
last week.
While some government officials appeared casual, Public Safety Minister
Stockwell Day said the investigation was becoming more "bizarre" by the day.
From London, England, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said the murders
were a "random" act.
8. When did the RCMP get involved?
It has all become too confusing. The RCMP liaison officer based in
Mexico City was apparently notified of the crimes Feb. 20 but didn't go to
Cancun for a week. Why?
9. Did the RCMP tell Rodriguez the Ianieros were tied to "illicit
activities?"
Such allegations must be proven. If not, will Canadian authorities
insist on a retraction? Will they do the same for the Thunder Bay women who
say they are living a nightmare, fearful they will be extradited to Mexico?
Toronto organized-crime expert Antonio Nicaso scoffed at the suggestion
Everall and Kim, who were in Mexico to attend a friend's wedding, were
professional killers and said he has never heard of the Ianieros in connection
with organized crime.
10. Will the RCMP be able to pursue their own leads in the
investigation?
That's the critical question. If the Mounties don't have freedom,
there's a danger they will merely review evidence and the Ianiero case will
fade from view. Meanwhile, the news from Mexico will focus on tourists on
March break and the upcoming conference of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, U.S.
President George W. Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox on the beaches of
Cancun."