Months before Cassidy Bernard was found dead in her home, her boyfriend posted on his Facebook page offering $100 for someone to knock her out.
The Chronicle Herald obtained a screenshot of the post by email on Saturday, the same day the paper ran a story in which Cassidy’s former partner Austin Isadore said he had been a suspect and was questioned by RCMP investigators in the near seven-month old case.
“Can’t stand this b***h,” said the post. “Someone KNOCK her…. out. I got 100 buxs here for any one thats up for doing that up for me.”
Isadore confirmed over Facebook Messenger on Monday that he had made the offer months before Cassidy’s death, but that it wasn’t a serious threat and at the time he was responding to something Bernard had posted on social media. He also admitted to other Facebook posts in which he threatened violence against the woman. Isadore insisted he was home at the time of Bernard’s death and is not a suspect in the case.
“RCMP arrested me, took my prints and everything,” stated Isadore. “It was clear it wasn’t me they were looking for so therefore I was released by the major crime unit so you know.”
Isadore acknowledged in the Saturday Herald story that a number of people, including family members of Bernard, believe he’s responsible for her death. Isadore is currently facing six outstanding criminal charges, none of which involve Bernard.
Three of the charges are from an incident on Oct. 31, 2017. They include possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, uttering threats to damage property and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
The other two charges are from a Nov. 2, 2018, incident: uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and uttering threats to damage property.
Bernard’s body was found in her We’koqma’q home on Oct 24. Her two babies were with her and were discovered dehydrated but survived. Isadore is the father of the babies.
Isadore lives in Wagmatcook, a neighbouring Mi’kmaq community located about 30 kilometres away. He said he and Bernard had been separated at the time of her death while he dealt with a drug problem. He insists that he never assaulted or used excessive force against her in the two years they were together.
“I know they’ve put a lot of resources into trying to solve this case.”
RCMP have been tight-lipped about the investigation, saying only that it’s considered a suspicious death. RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Jennifer Clarke confirmed that investigators received Cassidy’s autopsy report on March 13 but offered no details of what’s in the report. She would not say whether Isadore is or was a suspect but said investigators have been working closely with the family of the victim.
“We are doing the best we can,” said Clarke. “We’re in very close contact with the family and it’s very regular contact. I know people are interested in the case and when the time is right we will certainly release that information, more information about the death. The investigation is ongoing ... and we hope to bring it to a resolution soon.”
Rod Googoo, chief of We’koqma’q, said he’s aware that Isadore had been questioned by police and many in the community suspect he’s responsible for Bernard’s death. But Googoo said he hasn’t heard of any new developments in the case.
“I know investigators have met with the family and I’ve heard it’s been good news but I respect their privacy,” said Googoo. “I am concerned but I also have faith in the RCMP. I know they’ve put a lot of resources into trying to solve this case.”
In November the community band council offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Bernard’s death. Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers has been handling the campaign, said Googoo.
“It has been getting good tips from what I can hear.”
The case has rocked the community, he said.
“It’s a huge, huge deal,” said Googoo. “Even if the case is solved, it’s awakened our community but also the whole Mi’kmaq nation to this whole issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women. It’s started a movement and that’s going to continue on. We all have to step up to protect our young women, protecting the girls and women that we love.”
Wayne MacKay, a Dalhousie University law professor, said it’s difficult to evaluate the investigation since there are likely many factors involved. But he said in cases like this, involving a historically marginalized population, it’s particularly important that the investigation be conducted as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.
“Without in any way suggesting that anything inappropriate or insufficient is being done here, it is obviously particularly important when dealing with a vulnerable community who have a history of questionable treatment, that everything be done as quickly and as thoroughly as possible to deliver justice and make it clear that justice is being delivered,” said MacKay.
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