A grieving Manitoba family wants to warn others about the dangers of drugs, especially the powerful opioid fentanyl.
Aayla Asham, 21, was one of three people found dead by police early Wednesday morning in a suburban Winnipeg home.
Inside, officers also found the bodies of a man and a second woman, as well as a quantity of an unknown white powder.
Winnipeg police suspect fentanyl overdoses may have caused their deaths, but at this point that hasn't been confirmed.
Asham's younger sister, Aatlanta Asham, said Aayla lived in the house on Petriw Bay in Inkster Gardens which police visited after getting a call to check on the home.
Aatlanta hadn't heard from Aayla for two days.
"I've had such bad anxiety for the past two days and I just knew something was wrong."
READ MORE: 3 bodies found in home, suspected fentanyl overdose
Aatlanta found out Wednesday through social media and news reports about the deaths at the house.
"It wasn't even confirmed yet and my family didn't even know and people were writing on her (Facebook) wall saying 'rest in peace Aayla' and we didn't even know for sure yet and it's just really hard seeing that when you don't even know for sure if she's actually gone."
Police confirmed to her family Wednesday afternoon -- her sister, a mother of two children, was one three people police found dead inside the home.
"She was so kind," said Aatlanta. "She'd do anything for anyone. If you ever needed help, she'd be right there to help you."
"She was an amazing mother to two beautiful children."
Aatlanta said her sister struggled with a cocaine addiction, but knew the dangers of fentanyl and had previously turned down opportunities to take the drug. She doesn't think her sister would knowingly take fentanyl.
She wants to get the message out about the dangers of the drug.
"Don't use it," Aatlanta said. "You can see how many people it's killing. It's stupid for you to want to use it -- something that's just killing people off, daily."
Aayla's mom, Ginger Pinette, said she tried to help her daughter.
"We were best friends," said Pinette. "Then I lost her to the drugs. She had a big heart and loved her children so much."
Aayla's uncle, Allan Cooper, said parents need to talk to their children about the risks of using illegal drugs, which could be laced with fentanyl.
“She was turning around,” said Cooper. “A little slip and you make a mistake. Shouldn’t cost you your life, but with this drug it will cost your life, whether it’s fentanyl or carfentanil.”
Police said Wednesday it could take weeks before the results of testing on the white powder are available.
Asham's family is now awaiting the results of an autopsy, which they hope will provide more answers about Aayla's death.
The family said their focus is on Aayla's two children, who are two and four-years-old, and trying to get the message out about the dangers of fentanyl, so other families don't have to go through the same thing.
"She may have messed up sometimes, but everyone messes up sometimes, and they don't deserve to be taken for such a little mess up," said Aatlanta.
Aatlanta said her older sister acted like a mom to her. "It's really hard losing someone like that who did so much for you."
"I miss her so much, everyone's going to miss her so much. She had such a kind soul and she always meant good."
