Charlene Candace Catholique
Case reference: 2000000830
Missing since: July 22, 1990
Missing from: Snowdrift (now Lutsel K’e), Northwest Territories, Canada
Date of Birth: June 23, 1975
Age at disappearance: 15 years
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Indigenous
Eye Color: Brown
Hair: Black, short
Height: 165 cm / 5ft 5in
Weight: 57 kgs / 126 lbs
Physical Build: Slender/Thin
Complexion: Dark
Charlene was last seen wearing: Acid-washed jeans, a neon pink t-shirt, and a blue jacket with white sleeves.
Notable: Charlene has pierced ears and had acne at the time.
Details: Charlene had taken a flight from Łutselk’e to Yellowknife before her disappearance to attend a Dene National Assembly in Dettah. On July 21 at approximately 11:00pm, she met with several teenagers to spend the night in Behchokǫ̀. She decided to hitchhike back to Yellowknife the next day because her friend could not find her a way to get back.
An friend of Joe’s (Joe is Charlene’s father) spotted Charlene attempting to hitchhike. They told Charlene to stay there because they would come back to pick her up, but she was gone when the friend returned.
The Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories declared Charlene legally dead on June 9, 2017. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are still investigating her disappearance, but Joe said he stopped talking to the RCMP about Charlene’s case in 2008 because he felt like he was “talking to a wall.”
Charlene’s case is being investigated by the Northwest Territories RCMP Historical Case Unit. A renewed call for public assistance was made on the thirtieth anniversary of her disappearance. In September 2020, the RCMP announced that they were “conducting an operation” in an area of interest near Behchokǫ̀.
“The HCU understands this could be a stressful, upsetting time for the family, friends and community members,” the release states.
In July 2020, the RCMP sought the help of the public in hopes of making a “breakthrough” in the case to determine what happened the night Catholique went missing.
According to the release, the HCU received many tips from the public, which are all currently being reviewed.
Charlene is from the Łutselk’e Dene First Nation in the Northwest Territories. She has been described as a well adjusted, friendly, and outgoing teenager who enjoyed outdoor activities and drum dancing. Father, Joe Catholique, was a residential school survivor.
Joe died without knowing what happened to Charlene.
Charlene’s aunt, Lorraine Catholique, was like a second mother to Charlene after her mother died of cancer. Lorraine described her niece as mature and responsible, but also said Charlene “was involved in a relationship she shouldn’t have been.”
If you have information on Charlene’s case, please contact any of the following:
G Division Major Crimes Unit RCMP: 867-765-3822
Reference Case#: 19901026
Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477)
Online at: https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tip
Crime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping
Send email to the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains at: canadasmissing-disparuscanada@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Sources:
Canada’s Missing
Doe Network
International Missing Persons Wiki
Cabin Radio
Someone Saw Something 
Leave a comment