Police have confirmed that one of two sets of human remains found at the Prairie Green landfill north of Winnipeg belongs to Marcedes Myran, one of four Indigenous women murdered by serial killer Jeremy Skibicki in 2022. The announcement was made Monday by provincial officials.
Myran, 26, and Morgan Harris, 39, were both from Long Plain First Nation, located 95 kilometers west of Winnipeg. Harris’s remains were publicly identified on March 7. Both women, along with Rebecca Contois, 24, and an unidentified woman known as Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe (Buffalo Woman), were murdered by Skibicki in 2022.
Premier Wab Kinew expressed relief at the identification of Myran’s remains, emphasizing the importance of bringing the victims home. “Marcedes Myran and Morgan Harris are coming home,” Kinew said. “This is what we set out to do.”
The search for additional remains at Prairie Green continues, with the possibility of extending efforts based on findings in the coming weeks. However, Kinew did not confirm whether authorities would search for Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, whose remains have never been found.
Skibicki was convicted in July 2023 of four counts of first-degree murder. Investigators believe Harris and Myran were killed in early May 2022, while Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe is thought to have been murdered in mid-March. Contois, the last known victim, was killed in mid-May 2022, with her partial remains found in a Winnipeg garbage bin and later at the Brady Road landfill.
Myran’s grandmother, Donna Bartlett, recalled how the family lost contact with Myran in March 2022. Hoping for her return, they later reported her missing and campaigned for a search at Prairie Green. The search was initially deemed unfeasible by Winnipeg police but became a major issue in Manitoba’s 2023 provincial election.
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson praised the Myran family’s resilience, calling their advocacy a testament to their love and determination.
Skibicki’s crimes have reignited calls for accountability regarding missing and murdered Indigenous women. Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, chair of the National Family and Survivors Circle, described the search effort as a hard-fought victory but criticized police reluctance to act sooner. She also called for an inquiry into Winnipeg police’s initial decision not to search the landfill.
Newly appointed Winnipeg Police Chief Gene Bowers has yet to comment on potential policy changes in response to the case. Advocates argue that systemic failures must be addressed to ensure Indigenous women are protected.
Premier Kinew expressed hope for healing, pledging to recognize those who participated in the Prairie Green search while urging patience and support for the victims’ families.
Source: Swifteradio.com
