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
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.