The “Mr. Big” operation is an investigative technique used by law enforcement agencies, particularly in Canada. It is a type of undercover operation designed to obtain a confession from a suspect in a serious criminal case. In 2019, after a mother and her young daughter vanished in Cranston, Canada, detectives quickly zoned in on a primary suspect. They just needed the evidence for an arrest, and turned to the controversial technique.
Audio Sources:
“Robert Leeming found guilty in death of 22-month-old Aliyah Sanderson”
“Bodies believed to be woman and daughter found in Kananaskis”
Sources:
The Calgary Sun, 25 April, 2019 – “Police Seek Missing Mom, Daughter”
CBC, 25 April, 2019 – “Missing Mother, Daughter Feared Dead and Girl’s Father Isn’t Suspect”
CBC, 26 April, 2019 – “Townhouse Owner Says he’s a Suspect”
The Calgary Sun, 26 April, 2019 – “Search for Mom, Tot Turns up no Signs of Life”
The Calgary Sun, 27 April, 2019 – “Main Suspect Released”
The Calgary Sun, 29 April, 2019 – “Victims’ Family Looks for Answers”
The Calgary Sun, 30 April, 2019 – “Regular Joe”
The Calgary Sun, 1 May, 2019 – “Unimaginable, Awful”
The Daily Mirror, 3 May, 2019 – “Lost Forever”
The Abbotsford News, 6 May, 2019 – “Remains of Calgary Woman, Toddler Believed to Have Been Found”
CBC, 6 May, 2019 – “Murder Charges Pending”
CBC, 7 May, 2019 – “Landlord Charged with Murder”
The Calgary Sun, 13 May, 2019 – “Tearful Tribute”
The Calgary Sun, 25 May, 2019 – “Overwhelmed by Support”
The Calgary Sun, 4 February, 2020 – “Crown Pursing First-Degree Murder Charge in Slaying”
The Calgary Sun, 5 August, 2020 – “Second-Degree Murder Charges for Leeming”
The Calgary Sun, 13 October, 2021 – “One Guilty Plea”
The Calgary Sun, 14 October, 2021 – “Objects Found Burned”
The Calgary Sun, 15 October, 2021 – “Odd Evidence”
The Calgary Sun, 16 October, 2021 – “Mom Beaten Before Slaying”
The Calgary Sun, 20 October, 2021 – “Victims’ Bodies in Shallow Graves”
The Calgary Sun, 21 October, 2021 – “Fall ‘Unlikely’ Cause of Tot’s Death”
The Calgary Sun, 22 October, 2021 – “Murder Suspect Led Undercover Cops to Bodies”
The Calgary Sun, 23 October, 2021 – “Ok, Where To?”
The Calgary Sun, 28 October, 2021 – “Little Girl Died After Fall”
The Calgary Sun, 29 October, 2021 – “Lies Admitted”
The Calgary Sun, 3 November, 2021 – “Tot’s Killing Called Cover”
The Daily Mirror, 11 November, 2021 – “Brit Admits Brutal Canada Murder”
The Calgary Sun, 7 September, 2021 – “Crown Seeks Maximum”