Inquiry commission rules killer’s relatives will remain anonymous

WINNIPEG – Relatives of a man who took part in the fatal beating of a young Manitoba girl will remain anonymous when they testify at an inquiry into her death.

Three of Karl Wesley McKay’s children and a former common-law partner have been granted a publication ban on their names.

Inquiry commissioner Ted Hughes says there is a risk that the relatives could face harassment or harm if the public learns they are related to the killer.

The relatives are scheduled to testify in the coming days in the ongoing public inquiry into the 2005 death of Phoenix Sinclair.

The five-year-old girl was beaten to death by her mother and McKay, who was the woman’s boyfriend.

Phoenix had been under the supervision of child welfare for much of her life before social workers decided she was safe and closed her file.