Author of anonymous letter claims to have witnessed Don Dunphy's death: sources

Sources tell CBC News that the author of ananonymous letter police are investigating claimsto have witnessed Don Dunphy's death.

This runs counter to what hasbeen reported to date.

• RCMP need another 48 hours to review new Don Dunphy evidence

In the year and a half since the shooting, it hasbeen repeatedly reported that only Dunphy and Royal Newfoundalnd Constabulary Const.Joe Smyth were present when the fatal shooting happened.

An update on the investigation will be provided to the commission and the public as soon as possible.- Supt. Pat Cahill

Dunphy was fatally shot by RNC officer Joe Smyth on April 5, 2015. Smyth, who was assigned to protect the security of then Premier Paul Davis, visited Dunphy after he made a series of tweets that referenced provincial politicians.

Whether the information in the anonymous letteris true or not, it has had animpact on the inquiry onto Dunphy's death.

The inquiry was expected to release five reports about the incident in early November, but police have asked the inquiry to delay that while they investigate this new anonymous letter.

Origins of letter unknown

A press release from the RCMP says they found out about the letter on the evening of Nov. 7 the day before the reports would have been released.

"The RCMP was informed by the commission of inquiry respecting the death of Donald Dunphy the new information in the form of an anonymous letter had come forward regarding the death of Mr. Dunphy," RCMP Supt. Pat Cahill said Friday.

"The following morning the RCMP obtained the letter and began an investigation into its origins and content."

Police are asking for the public's help in finding the author of theanonymous letter.

They say theywant to speak withtheauthor and are asking anyone with information about the letter or the writer to contact them or Crime Stoppers.

Meanwhile, the RCMP won't reveal what the letter says. They also won't say how the commission acquired it, or if mischief charges will be laid if the letter proves to be a hoax.

Continueddelay of release

On Nov 15. the inquiry said it would have more to say about the release of the reports within 48 hours. As of Friday morning, no date has been set for the release.

• Concerns over 'tainting' new evidence delays release of Don Dunphy reports

"The RCMPrespects the work of the commission and its mandate to complete the inquiry in a timely fashion. The investigation into this new information continues to be a priority for the RCMP," said Cahill.

"An update on the investigation will be provided to the commission and the public as soon as possible."

The inquiry is still expected to begin public hearings in early January.

The reports the inquiry planned to release:

• The undatedRCMPinvestigation report;
• The Aug. 30 report by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, which investigated theRCMPresponse;
• David Riche's Jan. 11 report as independent observer;
• The Sept. 14 report by the Saskatoon Police Service, called in by the RNCfor a review of the shooting;
• The Oct. 5 decision of the chief of police of the RNC on the internal investigation intoConst. JoeSmyth'sconduct.