WINNIPEG -- A Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for a suspect in a homicide investigation.

Winnipeg police are looking for Wayne Leslie Melnychuk, 42, in connection with the death of Julie Racette, 34, earlier this month.

Officers said Racette died Apr. 11. Police said she’d been taken to hospital that day from a home on Ottawa Avenue, where her sister said she lived with Melnychuk and their three children.

“We are holding it together the best that we can,” Racette’s sister, Chasity Almas told CTV News. “We’re just hoping and praying that the police find him and get some more answers.”

Police said Racette’s death was initially thought to have been related to a medical emergency, but as officers started investigating, they found inconsistencies with that explanation.

“We interviewed a number of people that were close to her and it was after the post-mortem examination and more evidence came to light that we ultimately determined that Julie had been the victim of a homicide,” said Winnipeg police Const. Jay Murray. 

On Monday, a Canada-wide warrant was issued for Melnychuk who’s wanted on a charge of manslaughter. The charge has not been proven in court.

After Racette’s death, police officers spoke with Melnychuk who become a suspect later in the investigation.

“He was interviewed along with a number of people that were close to her,” said Murray. “That’s part of a standard police investigation in order to find out more details, so it is something that happened. He wasn’t a suspect at that point.”

Police also said Melnychuk was reported missing Apr.12 – a day after Racette’s death.

Investigators won’t reveal where they think Melnychuk may be, but said they’re working off a number of theories.

“We’re asking members of the public, if you come across him, if you happen upon this individual – please contact 911 immediately,” said Murray.

Police warn the public not to approach Melnychuk. He is described as five-foot-seven with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes.

If you any information about his whereabouts, Winnipeg police are asking you call the homicide unit at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).