Search for missing teen has been suspended, family says
The search for a missing teen last seen more than a week ago in Winnipeg has been suspended after a body that has yet to be identified was found.
The sister of Inuka Gunathilaka confirmed to CTV News on Thursday that the search for her brother has been suspended.
His family last saw their 16-year-old son on May 24 as he headed off to school. Since then a desperate search by friends and family has been underway to find the boy.
However, the search party which organized a Facebook group, announced in a post Wednesday that police had discovered a body and there are indications it may be that of Inuka's.
Udaya Annakkage, who has been organizing the search, said police are in the process of identifying the body.
"We thought the search had been going for several days, and we thought we would just hold the search and wait for the outcome of the police investigation," Udaya Annakkage, who has been organizing the search.
Inuka was seen around 8:11 a.m. on May 24 at Fort Richmond Collegiate where he dropped off some books at the library and then left.
The family was able to find security pictures and videos of Inuka visiting a 7/11 and Tim Hortons that morning in the area. The search group told CTV News they were able to track Inuka's movements that morning up Pembina Highway from Killarney Avenue to Thatcher Drive.
But after that, the video trail stopped.
Annakkage said more than 200 people have been involved in the search. He said there are many mixed feelings as they await news from police.
"Some are reluctant to accept it, still having some hope that the body is not Inuka's," he said. "From my point of view, until we see confirmation from police, I don't want to come to 100 per cent acceptance."
Const. Claude Chancy, a public information officer with the Winnipeg Police Service, told CTV News on Thursday morning that police are not commenting on the case at this time.
The Winnipeg Police Service's missing persons unit has been investigating.
Inuka's family told CTV News police have contacted them, and are expected to release more details to the media.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.