Police confirmed Friday they’ve launched a homicide investigation into the death of Teresa Robinson.
The 11-year-old child was found dead on Monday in the Garden Hill First Nation area, a fly-in community about 500 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.
About 500 people from the area and nearing communities conitnued to search for the remains of the girl on Saturday.
Early reports from the community suggested it may have been the result of an animal mauling.
An autopsy was conducted. While a positive identification has yet to be made, both police and the community believe the body is that of Teresa Robinson.
“Foul play is suspected, and Teresa’s death is being investigated as a homicide. While her remains were disturbed by animals, there is no evidence to suggest that animals played a role in her death,” said RCMP.
No arrests have been made. RCMP have not released details on cause of death.
Robinson was last seen leaving a birthday party on May 5. She was reported missing days later to the RCMP.
She was headed home but never made it, and her father thought she may have simply decided to sleep over at a friend's house, according to David Harper, grand chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents First Nation communities across the province's north.
It was a few days later that a family member called the school and a community search was launched, Harper said earlier this week.
Band councillor Elsie Flett said the girl's friends and other children in the community are shaken up.
"Our children…don't even feel safe in our community - traumatized,” she said.
Friends and family of Teresa marked what should have been her 12th birthday on Thursday.
Community volunteers continue to search for more remains and are coming together to help deal with the tragedy.
RCMP ask anyone with information in the case to contact the Island Lake RCMP at 204-456-2290 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
- with files from The Canadian Press
