The trial of Kalen Schlatter, accused of first-degree murder in the death of Tess Richey in 2017, began Thursday. Here’s some background on the case.

What happened?

Richey, 22, was reported missing to police on Nov. 25, 2017. She was out with a friend in Toronto’s Gay Village and had spent the night prior to her disappearance at Crews and Tangos, a popular drag bar and neighbourhood fixture.

Richey’s mother, Christine Hermeston, travelled to Toronto from North Bay to help look for her.

Four days after she was reported missing to Toronto police, Richey’s body was found by her mother in a stairwell, mere steps from where she was last seen.

Const. Michael Jones and Const. Alan McCullough were charged under the Police Services Act with not performing a duty and not carrying out an order in Richey’s disappearance.

Their hearing has been put off until Schlatter’s criminal trial is over.

Why has her death resonated?

Richey’s disappearance was one of many connected to the Gay Village, sparking public outrage and backlash against police, with many in the LGBTQ community claiming that officers weren’t protecting them.

For years, men with a connection to the village had disappeared. Missing person posters were a common fixture in the downtown neighbourhood in November 2017. Police would eventually arrest Bruce McArthur, who pleaded guilty to killing eight men.

One day after Richey’s body was found, Toronto police identified the body of a transgender woman found in the Rosedale ravine in August 2017. Alloura Wells was last seen in July, and her family had reported her missing in November the same year. The family was allegedly told that her disappearance was not a high priority as Wells had been homeless for some time.

How have police responded?

Toronto police announced in 2017 that they would review their handling of missing persons cases, and in November 2019 a civilian review led by Ontario Court of Appeal justice Gloria Epstein was granted access to police files related to McArthur.

The review’s mandate is to probe Toronto police’s policies and practices concerning missing persons investigations and determine if they were hindered by systemic bias or discrimination.

The review is ongoing and findings are set to be released in early 2021.

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What’s next?

The trial for Schlatter, 23, is expected to continue for four to six weeks.