Woman charged with concealing remains of six dead babies found in storage locker

Winnipeg police have arrested Andrea Giesbrecht, also known as Andrea Naworynski, after babies' remains were found in a storage locker on McPhillips.

Officers charged Giesbrecht with six counts of concealing the body of a child, along with breach of probation.

Winnipeg police said Tuesday the remains of up to four very young infants, possibly newborns, were inside the locker. On Wednesday, officers said a preliminary investigation showed there were six infants.

Const. Eric Hofley called the case "tragic beyond belief."

U-Haul storage facility staff contacted police, asking them to check in the locker. Officers responded on Monday, Oct. 20.

The company issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

“U-Haul team members made a disturbing discovery when taking inventory of a delinquent storage locker on Monday,” said the company. “They immediately contacted law enforcement who believed the locker contained human remains. U-Haul is deeply shocked and saddened by this discovery.”

“Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, U-Haul cannot comment with any further details. We will continue to fully cooperate with authorities,” said the company.

Clay Dowsett at Stonewall Self Storage said there are no industry regulations in regards to leasing agreements for storage lockers in Manitoba, but he said most businesses that he is aware of require ID to rent a unit.

Barrington Francis has a storage locker in the U-Haul facility on McPhillips and was stunned to hear the news of the remains found.

"How does that even happen? You sneak four infants into a storage unit and nobody sees it?" he asked.

Autopsies are ongoing. The child abuse unit is investigating. The search for answers is expected to take months.

Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to contact investigators at [phone] or Crime Stoppers at (204) 786-TIPS (8477).

Greg Brodsky says Andrea Giesbrecht was initially arrested on multiple murder charges, but so far only faces six counts of concealing a body.

Brodsky says the forensic examination will determine what happens next.

- with files from CTV's Alesia Fieldberg, Ben Miljure, Jill Macyshon and The Canadian Press

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  U-Haul said its staff on McPhillips in Winnipeg called police immediately after the remains were found in a storage locker on Oct. 20, 2014.

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  The Maples home in Winnipeg where Andrea Giesbrecht was arrested is shown. She faces charges for six counts of concealing a body of a child in Winnipeg. Their remains were found in a storage locker at another site.

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  Const. Eric Hofley from Winnipeg police said the remains could be from newborns. Hofley addressed media on Oct. 21, 2014 regarding the discovery of remains in a storage locker.