Winnipeg police have pulled a body from the Red River near the Alexander Docks. Police have not said whether the body is that of 32-year-old Lisa Gibson, who has been missing since her two young children died after being found injured in their Westwood home on Wednesday.
A group of paddlers reportedly spotted the body floating in the water and called police shortly before 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning.
Dive teams have been searching the rivers for signs of Lisa Gibson. The body was found near where the Red River and Assiniboine River meet, several kilometers downstream from where police had been concentrating their search efforts in the Assiniboine River.
"Over the past few days we’ve had multiple resources, be it Air One, our ground search and rescue teams, our general patrols out checking individual tips that have been provided," said Const. Eric Hofley.
Although there are reports Gibson's children died in the bathtub, police say the cause of death has not yet been determined. Gibson is considered a person of interest in their deaths.
A police source told CTV News that Gibson had been dealing with postpartum depression.
The news of the children's deaths and Gibson's disappearance have hit the community hard. Many neighbours and community members turned out for a candlelight vigil Thursday.
Psychologist Dr. Toby Rutner said communities often grieve collectively. "What we see is a tragic situation in which we feel a sense of empathy. We can identify," he said.
Rutner said if it is true that Gibson was suffering from post partum depression or post partum psychosis, then this incident may help to shed light on a serious issue. "I think we all know people who are suffering. People who sometimes feel overwhelmed with pressure and obligations."
Police have not indicated a timeline for identifying the body or determining the cause of death.
- With files from The Canadian Press and a report by Ben Miljure
