Alleged serial killer in Winnipeg accused of killing 3 more women
Four Indigenous women in Winnipeg are believed to be dead at the hands of an alleged serial killer.
Jeremy Anthony Michael Skibicki, 35, is now facing four charges of first-degree murder following an investigation that started back in May following the death of an Indigenous woman.
On May 16, 2022, police provided details about the death of 24-year-old Rebecca Contois after her partial remains were found near an apartment building in the 200 block of Edison Avenue. Additional remains were later found in June at the Brady Landfill.
Skibicki was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Contois' death.
Police continued to investigate saying they didn't rule out the possibility that there were more victims.
On Thursday, police announced that three more victims had been identified. It is believed they were killed before Contois, between March and May.
One woman, who has not yet been identified, is believed to have been killed around March 15, 2022. Police said the victim is an Indigenous woman in her mid-20s with an average build.
Two other women have been identified, 39-year-old Morgan Beatrice Harris of Winnipeg, who is believed to have been killed on or around May 1, and 26-year-old Marcedes Myran of Winnipeg, who is believed to have been killed on or around May 4.
Both Harris and Myran were members of Long Plain First Nation.
As a result of the investigation, police said they have charged Skibicki with three more counts of first-degree murder.
The charges against Skibicki have not been proven in court.
Mayor Scott Gillingham called Thursday a “painful day for Winnipeg.”
“We must never become numb to the horrors of the news that we’re hearing today, because every homicide represents a life,” he said. “As a father, as a husband, I feel deep sorrow for these lives that have been lost far too early.”
Police Chief Danny Smyth said it's unsettling when there is "any kind of serial killing," adding these homicides are unsettling because "they involve Indigenous women."
Police released a photo of a jacket they say is similar to the one believed to have been worn by the unidentified woman who was killed in March wore. The jacket is reversible, and contains a black and white pattern, the words “baby phat,” a fur hood, and a cat-like logo on the front and back of the jacket.
A photo shows one side of a jacket similar to one a homicide victim in Winnipeg was wearing. Police are asking for the public's help to identify the victim. (Winnipeg police handout)
A photo shows one side of a jacket similar to one a homicide victim in Winnipeg was wearing. Police are asking for the public's help to identify the victim. (Winnipeg police handout)
“The last thing we want is this victim to be a Jane Doe,” said Inspector Shawn Pike with the major crimes unit.
The three new homicides bring the city’s total for the year to 50, a number Gillingham called “unacceptable.”
“As mayor, as a citizen, I cannot accept that, and as a city, we must not accept it,” he said. “We need to do more.”
Smyth called the four homicides “senseless and tragic acts.”
“We will do our best to support the families now and into the future as these investigations move towards prosecutions,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.