The Decibel - In Her Defence: 50th Street starts tomorrow

Episode Date: September 29, 2024

Follow In Her Defence: 50th Street to listen to the first two episodes on MondayAmber Tuccaro was 20 years old when she left her infant son with a friend at a motel on the outskirts of Edmonton, and got into a vehicle with an unknown man. She was never seen alive again. But Amber left an important clue: A chilling recording of what appear to be the final moments of her life, and the voice of the man who may be her killer. Days after police released that recording to the public, Amber’s remains were found in a field outside the city. She would be one of five women whose bodies were discovered in that area, and one of dozens more found in rural areas around Edmonton, the victims of a suspected serial killer – or killers. Following the success of the hit first season, In Her Defence: 50th Street takes listeners to Amber’s home in the Indigenous community of Fort Chipewyan, Alta., retracing the final days of Amber’s life, and revealing suspects and information that have never before been made public. In Her Defence: 50th Street explores the flawed police investigation into Amber’s disappearance and death, and asks serious questions about her unsolved killing.Was Amber’s case compromised by a racist and biased police investigation?And does it mean a serial killer is still out there?

Yo, we're not going in the city, are we? No, we're not. This is the missing persons case of Amber Tuckero, a 21-year-old female who went missing in August of 2010. Amber Tuckero was never seen alive again, but she left a recording of what seemed to be the final moments of her life. And the voice of the man who may be her killer. We're just south of Beaumont.

We're north of Beaumont. Very smart move on her part. Because that's a clue. And a lot of these girls disappear with no clues. You better not take me anywhere I don't want to go. Because that's a clue. And a lot of these girls disappear with no clues. I'm Jana Pruden, a reporter with The Globe and Mail. I first heard this recording when it was released by the police. And like a lot of people, I've been thinking about Amber and about that voice ever since.

But often when I'm out here, like I'll look, like that man that just came out of the store, that man that just got out of this pickup truck, like I look at these men like, is that the man? Is that the voice? Does he know what happened to Amber? I went to Amber's home in the isolated northern Alberta community of Fort Chippewan. Yeah, this used to be the old church area right here,

and the residential school right in this area. That was a rough, rough place. And followed her journey to the field outside Edmonton, where her remains were found, looking for the truth of that night. And that's the thing, like, I've always been very cautious coming out here because, again, we don't know who's responsible. I want to know why Amber's killer has never been caught. If a botched police investigation is to blame.

On behalf of the RCMP, I am truly sorry. And whether Amber is the victim of a serial killer who's still out there. I just hope he's caught. That's my thing. Because for all we know, he's still out there murdering. Nothing stopped him. I'm sure there's what, 13, 14 years later?

13 years later? How many have he killed? How many more women has he taken? I think it's because we're Indians. First Nation people. They don't give a shit about us. We're a stereotype. Even to this day, how many years later, we're still facing it.

Join me for In Her Defense, 50th Street. It's like I can tell you right now, they know who done it. And so do I. Coming this fall from the Globe and Mail.