RCMP NL say the Dean Penney investigation was "one of the most expensive they have ever undertaken"

Inspector Adam Palmer says over the years, close to 100 employees of all different ranks and categories worked on this, everything from interviewers, lead investigators, covert operations and support staff.   

The RCMP went before the microphones to respond to the guilty verdict handed down to Dean Penney in Corner Brook Supreme Court yesterday morning. He was convicted with the first degree murder of his estranged wife, Jennifer Hillier-Penney. She disappeared from St. Anthony in 2016 and her body was never recovered. At RCMP headquarters in St. John’s, Inspector Adam Palmer, said an investigation of this size and scale takes time, resources, and expertise. He says for nearly a decade, experienced investigators led by the Major Crimes Unit, with the support of highly specialized policing units and countless other members, worked tirelessly to build the most thorough, evidence driven investigation possible. 

Penney’s trial started eight weeks ago and the jury took several days to go over the evidence. Palmer says the verdict is not the end of their obligations, with things needing to be done as court proceedings are concluded. While he couldn’t give a dollar figure, Palmer says the investigation was one of the most expensive they have ever undertaken in this province. He says over the years, close to 100 employees of all different ranks and categories worked on this, everything from interviewers, lead investigators, covert operations and support staff.   

Palmer says there were a number of other agencies involved as well. He says the Royal Canadian Navy helped in the latter stages in the search for Jennifer in the St. Anthony area, others included Search and Rescue, other police agencies across Canada; there were many. 

Palmer had a message for Jennifer’s daughter, Marina: he was glad she was loud and calling them, holding them accountable, and throughout the investigation there were times when they couldn't share as much information as they wanted. Palmer says moving forward, he hopes this can bring her and her family some peace and that they’re able to move forward with next stages in their life. 

Dean Penney is due to be sentenced in November.