'It hurts': Missing six-year-old boy in Manitoba found dead
It was a tragic ending to the search for a six-year-old boy in northeastern Manitoba who had been missing since Wednesday.
Manitoba RCMP confirmed the body of Johnson Redhead was found at around 7:45 p.m. Sunday in a wooded area in Shamattawa, Man.
Sgt. Paul Manaigre with the RCMP's media relations team said a Canadian Ranger, using their drone, was able to find Redhead a considerable distance from the school where he was last seen.
"I believe approximately 3.25 kilometres away, headed toward the river," said Manaigre.
Redhead had been missing since Wednesday morning. Police said he went to school for the breakfast program until 9 a.m., but did not arrive for class afterwards.
RCMP search and rescue, Canadian Rangers and volunteers from in and around the community helped with the search.
Manaigre said it's believed Redhead died from exposure, but an autopsy will be done to confirm. RCMP will also investigate whether there was any foul play involved in his death.
While this wasn't the ending Manaigre or anyone involved in the search wanted, he noted the family has closure now.
"We were able to bring him home to them. Would have been tough not having those answers if it kept going on for days."
He said it has been difficult for the community and everyone involved, as they were all hoping for a happy ending.
"I'm not going to lie, it hurts."
Speaking Monday, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee offered his condolences to the family and all those impacted by what happened.
"We want to express the gratitude that we have to everyone that joined in the search. There were many people that stepped up to help this First Nation and we're very thankful for the people that came to support Shamattawa First Nation," said Settee. "We just pray that the family will be surrounded by people that will comfort and offer words of kindness."
Settee said MKO is ready to send a crisis team to Shamattawa to help people work through this tragedy.
"We are preparing to send a team in there to work with the community, to work with the family and also to anyone that has been affected by this crisis. So we're ready to mobilize and we're ready to go and support the family."
He noted help will also be sent to the school as he knows everyone there has been traumatized by this.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
Donald Trump has said he wouldn't be a dictator — 'except for Day 1.' According to his own statements, he's got a lot to do on that first day in the White House.
'I was called;' Murray Sinclair's life and legacy honoured at emotional memorial
Applause erupted over and over at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg Sunday as the son of Murray Sinclair, a former judge, senator and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into residential schools, spoke about his father.
Children's book by chef Jamie Oliver withdrawn after criticism from Indigenous Australians
A children's book written by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been withdrawn from sale after it was criticized for causing offense to Indigenous Australians.
Montreal dockworkers reject deal with lockout to begin
The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.
Man shot by police in Hamilton has died, victim did 'not appear' to fire a gun, says SIU
A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province’s police watchdog.
Liberals to face third test in federal byelection in British Columbia next month
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale—Langley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.
Elon Musk exerts deepening influence on Donald Trump's presidential transition
Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club has been brimming in the last 48 hours with two kinds of people: those angling for a job in the president-elect’s incoming administration, and those trying to influence him into hiring their picks for the top spots.
25 monkeys recovered after dozens escape in South Carolina. Others 'jumping back and forth' near research facility
Tenty-five of the 43 monkeys bred for medical research that escaped a compound in South Carolina have been recovered, officials said Sunday.
Abuse, harassment and suicide: Report finds anti-Black racism exists at highest levels of federal government
A government-funded report released to CTV News highlights 'systemic racism' against dozens of Black executives within the federal public service, including allegations of abuse, violence and harassment that, in some instances, led to suicide.