The Manitoba Integrated Task Force for Missing and Murdered Women has completed its initial review of the outstanding homicide and missing persons’ investigations and has now identified certain cases for further re-examination.
The Task Force, which officially began their work in late October, is mandated to examine unsolved homicide files involving female victims and missing women where foul play is suspected. Through a review process, investigations will be analyzed with the view of identifying possible linkages between cases. The results of the review and corresponding recommendations will be reported back to the investigating agency for appropriate follow-up.
Having examined 84 such cases dating back to 1926 within their jurisdictions, the Task Force’s Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) and RCMP members have identified a number of investigations which present the highest probability of possessing case similarities.
The Task Force considers these cases as a starting point for the next phase of their mandate. This does not preclude the potential for more cases to be re-examined. All 84 unsolved cases are still considered open investigations and are assigned to investigators.
Located in the RCMP “D” Division Headquarters, the review team consists of four WPS members, three RCMP members and two RCMP civilian criminal analysts. The team’s seven police officers, with more than 125 years of combined policing experience, also bring to the Task Force their considerable experience in homicide, major crime, missing persons and sex crime investigations.
If anyone has any information on unsolved homicides or missing persons they are urged to contact their local police department or Manitoba Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
