MISSION, B.C. -- A man convicted of first-degree murder in the death of a Winnipeg woman in 1998 has walked away from a prison in British Columbia.

The Correctional Service of Canada says Roderick Muchikekwanape was confirmed missing at 10 p.m., Thursday.

He was serving a life sentence in the minimum security unit of the Mission Institution, east of Vancouver.

A statement from the correctional service says RCMP has issued a warrant for his arrest.

Muchikekwanape is 41 years old, six feet tall and 217 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

He was convicted of the sexual assault and slaying of a 36-year-old mother of three in Winnipeg in 1998.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 30, 2020.