Teen killed in isolated Mormon community

Vancouver Sun, CanWest News Service/July 24, 2006

Vancouver -- A 15-year-old boy from a reclusive, fundamentalist Mormon sect was killed Saturday in what was reported to police as an accidental shooting.

RCMP and the B.C. Ambulance Service received a report of the shooting at an isolated home near Yahk, B.C., near the U.S. border in the southeastern part of the province.

They were not able to revive Lance Palmer, a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

RCMP are investigating.

Palmer's death comes as RCMP are wrapping up a separate, two-year investigation into allegations of sexual and physical abuse within the polygamous sect.

The isolated, residential compound at the end of a forestry service road where Palmer's body was found has long been rumoured to be the Canadian hiding place of fundamentalist Mormon prophet, Warren Jeffs, who is on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List. Jeffs is a fugitive from charges related to sex with minors in both Arizona and Utah.