Key Takeaways
- The search for Ashlee Shingoose’s remains has officially begun at the Brady Road landfill in Winnipeg
- The search is expected to last six months, but the province is budgeting for the operation to continue if needed
- The search process involves removing material from a targeted zone to a facility where workers will comb through it to search for remains
- The province has done tests to narrow the search area and pulled off and stored a layer of landfill debris
- A similar search process was used to find the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran at the Prairie Green landfill
Introduction to the Search
The search for the remains of Ashlee Shingoose, a 30-year-old woman from St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation, has officially begun at the Brady Road landfill in Winnipeg. Premier Wab Kinew announced the start of the search, which is expected to last six months, but the province is budgeting for the operation to continue if needed. The search process involves removing material from a targeted zone to a facility where workers will comb through it to search for remains. The province has done tests to narrow the search area and pulled off and stored a layer of landfill debris, known as overburden.
Background on Ashlee Shingoose’s Disappearance
Ashlee Shingoose was identified in March as the previously unknown victim of a serial killer, Jeremy Skibicki, who was also convicted in the deaths of Morgan Harris, 39, Marcedes Myran, 26, and Rebecca Contois, 24. It is believed that Shingoose died in March 2022, and police previously said that investigators believe her body was placed in a garbage bin behind a business on Henderson Highway in Winnipeg’s North Kildonan area before it was taken to the Brady landfill. Her remains are still believed to be in the landfill, and the search is a targeted effort to find them.
Search Process and Facilities
The search process at the Brady Road landfill is similar to the one used to find the remains of Harris and Myran at the Prairie Green landfill, which started last December. The facility used in the search was moved to Brady Road after it was used to find the remains of Harris and Myran. Premier Kinew said that the search process has been tweaked and tailored to the Brady site, but the overall approach is the same. The initial effort is expected to last six months, but the province is budgeting for the operation to continue if needed.
Previous Searches and Investigations
The province previously announced plans to search the same landfill for Tanya Nepinak, who has not been seen or heard from since September 13, 2011. Police did a six-day search for her remains at the Brady Road landfill in 2012 but didn’t find her. Shawn Lamb was previously charged with second-degree murder in Nepinak’s death, but the charge was later dropped, and Lamb was convicted of manslaughter in the 2012 killings of Carolyn Sinclair and Lorna Blacksmith. A search for Nepinak will be different because of how long it has been since she disappeared, and because it may target a different part of the landfill.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The search for Ashlee Shingoose’s remains is a significant step towards bringing closure to her family and community. The province’s efforts to find her remains are a testament to their commitment to justice and accountability. The search process is expected to be challenging, but the province is committed to seeing it through. As the search continues, the community will be watching closely, hoping for a positive outcome. The search for Tanya Nepinak’s remains is also a reminder that there are still many unanswered questions and unsolved cases in the community, and that continued efforts are needed to bring justice and closure to those affected.