‘How could this happen?’: Saskatoon social worker Dory Cook killed inside her home

A well-known social worker, mental health advocate and musician is being remembered in Saskatoon. Laura Woodward has the story.

Friends, family and neighbours are mourning the death of Saskatoon social worker, mental health advocate and musician Dory Cook.

Cook, 77, was found dead inside her home on Avenue R South on Sunday. Her death marks Saskatoon’s seventh homicide of the year.

Kevin Wesaquate left flowers on her doorstep Wednesday evening. He said Cook helped him through difficult times.

“She was such an open, kindhearted person,” Wesaquate said.

“She made people feel like they were heard, like they belonged to something.”

Cook is being remembered as compassionate and non-judgemental.

Terri Bear-Linklater, a friend of Cook’s, learned of the homicide on Red Dress Day — the national day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People.

“What’s really sad about it is that she fought so hard against this violence,” Bear-Linklater said.

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Bear-Linklater met Cook through Saskatoon’s music scene. She remembers karaoke nights and performances at Ness Creek.

“She would always have her guitar with her,” Bear-Linklater said.

Who is Rachel Jessica Smallboy?

Cook’s nieces, Amy Cook Isbister and Wendy Lizotte, said they are still struggling to process what happened.

“How could this happen to an elderly person?” Cook Isbister said.

“No one can wrap their head around it, because she was such a kind, beautiful soul,” Lizotte added.

Police said officers were called to the home for a report of an injured person. When they arrived, Cook was dead.

Rachel Jessica Smallboy, 42, is charged with second-degree murder.

“My family had restraining orders against her. We don’t have the full story, we can’t speak on it because it’s still an investigation,” Cook Isbister said.

“We don’t know what happened, how she got in there.”

Smallboy appeared in Saskatoon provincial court by video on Thursday morning.

Defence requested a two-week adjournment as a new lawyer takes over the case.

Smallboy remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court May 21.