Manitoba community mourns five people killed in Carman
Mourners gathered in southern Manitoba on Wednesday to remember five family members killed in what police have called an unimaginable tragedy.
People were asked to wear purple to the funeral for Amanda Clearwater, her young children — Bethany, Jayven and Isabella Manoakeesick — and her teen niece Myah-Lee Gratton.
Police discovered their bodies on Feb. 11 at multiple crime scenes in and around Carman, Man., a town of 3,000 people southwest of Winnipeg.
Clearwater's common-law partner, Ryan Howard Manoakeesick, has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder.
Clearwater was remembered as a woman who loved her children and enjoyed taking them on walks.
"She was 100 per cent family-oriented and saw the good in everyone. When she pulled you into her circle it did not matter if you weren't family, you became family," her online obituary read.
Six-year-old Bethany "had a passion for mermaids, and pink was her favourite colour," the obituary said.
Four-year-old Jayven "was the ultimate boy, playing with Spider-Man, playing with dinosaurs."
Isabella, two months old, "came into this world content as could be."
"She must have known that she was the final piece to Amanda’s puzzle. So, she chose to take it easy on Mom by being the gentle little princess of the family."
Gratton's mother, Juliette Hastings, has said the 17-year-old had been staying with Clearwater and Manoakeesick since last spring. She said Gratton was excited about getting tattoos for her upcoming birthday to commemorate her faith, siblings and family.
Gratton's obituary called her a caring person with a big heart. "Her laughter could be heard for miles, and would bring a smile to your face."
Court records show the accused was warned by a judge in 2019 to get his methamphetamine addiction under control or risk losing everything.
Manoakeesick was convicted of mischief and sentenced to 18 months' probation. Court heard he locked himself inside a detached garage in Winnipeg and struck the overhead door, causing significant damage.
The next day, court was told he went to a Tim Hortons restaurant and threw around glass coffee mugs. The prosecutor in the case said Manoakeesick was on meth at the time.
He has been remanded in custody on the murder charges and has a court date later this week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 21, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Celine Dion performs at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Beloved Canadian icon Celine Dion made her much-anticipated appearance during the closing of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
'He was just gone': Police ramp up search for vulnerable 3-year-old boy in Mississauga, Ont.
Police in Mississauga are conducting a full-scale search of the city’s biggest park for a non-verbal toddler who went missing Thursday evening. Sgt. Jennifer Trimble told reporters Friday morning that there has been no trace of three-year-old Zaid Abdullah since 6:20 p.m., when he was last seen with his parents in Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Canada's Christine Sinclair: 'We were never shown drone footage'
Canada soccer great Christine Sinclair said on Friday national team players were never shown drone footage during the more than two decades she was on the team, following a spying scandal that cast a shadow over the Canadians at the Paris Games.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn $146,000 for water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
At least 4 buildings burned at Jasper Park Lodge, others damaged: Fairmont memo
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge said Thursday afternoon most of its structures are 'standing and intact,' including its iconic main lodge.
She couldn't stop thinking about the guy she met at the Athens Olympics. Then a message from him changed her life
Omaira Gill grew up counting down the days to each Olympic Games. She wasn’t especially sporty, so she ruled out the prospect of competing pretty early on. But she still harboured Olympic dreams – even just spectating would do.