Chief Ron Evans of Norway House has confirmed that Kathleen Leary is the victim in the Charleswood homicide.
Around 6 p.m. Tuesday, officers arrived at a home on the first 100 block of Cheltenham Cove to find Leary with upper body injuries, which she later succumbed to.
Leary spent most of her working life in various roles in health and education for Norway House Cree Nation.
"She had a real concern that our people get educated and get the right education, and that's why she spent most of her time geared towards education,” said Chief Ron Evans.
He called Leary’s death a tragedy for everyone who knew her and says his thoughts are with her family.
"The family's taking it hard. It's tragic and sudden,” said Evans. “Anytime we lose someone in that manner, a sudden loss, it's always a shock."
At least ten police cars and an ambulance were on scene outside the two-storey home when the incident occurred.
A neighbour told CTV Winnipeg a family lived in the home and were longtime residents of Cheltenham Cove, a close-knit community. He did not hear anything unusual Tuesday until emergency vehicles started to arrive.
"My son mentioned that there was a bunch of police officers out front. And then more and more started to gather and we knew something serious was going on at that point," said neighbour Don Harvey.
People who live on the quiet street say they are shaken. The say they remain on edge and are unsure whether the crime was random or targeted.
- With files from Meghan Roberts and Ben Miljure.
