2022 Winnipeg serial killings

Four individuals are thought to have been victims of Skibicki. Three of the four were Indigenous women, and the fourth individual is thought to additionally be of Indigenous ancestry. Family members of several of the women stated that they were homeless at the time. Ashlee Shingoose, previously known as the '''Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe/Buffalo Woman''' ( March 15, 2022) was an unidentified woman of possible Indigenous descent. She was thought to be in her mid twenties and living in Winnipeg at the time. The name was given to refer to the buffalo spirit which gave her name to individuals who had not received a spirit name in order to know one another, and allow for the acknowledgement of Buffalo Woman by the spirit realm. – May 4, 2022) was a member of the Long Plain First Nation and lived in Winnipeg at the time. She was 26 years old and a mother of two. Myran was last seen in the North End neighborhood of Winnipeg. – May 14–15, 2022) was a member of the O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation and lived in Winnipeg at the time. She was 24 years old and a mother of one. == Perpetrator ==

Jeremy Anthony Micheal Skibicki was charged with four counts of first-degree murder for the killings of Contois, Myran, Harris, and Buffalo Woman. A representative for Skibicki stated that his client would plead not guilty. Born in Winnipeg, he was adopted by a Polish family. Skibicki's birth mother was originally from Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2019, Skibicki's then-wife filed a protection order against him at their first wedding anniversary. Another assault charge against him, for allegedly attacking his spouse, was stayed. Both of Skibicki's previous partners were Indigenous, and were of Métis descent. Skibicki described himself as a member of "Holy Europe", the "Alliance of Patriotic Parallel Movements of European Folks" (APPMEF), a far-right organization which promotes the belief that white Europeans need to preserve their bloodlines from being diluted by race-mixing, multiculturalism, and immigration. ==Investigation and search for remains==

The killings were committed between the months of March and May 2022. Police believe Buffalo Woman was killed on or around March 15. Marcedes Myran's last contact with her family took place around this time. Authorities described it as a "horrifically grisly scene". The site was closed down briefly in June 2022. The fact was not disclosed publicly until it was shared publicly by a group tasked to oversee a feasibility study on the recovery of the remains. Discovery of Linda Mary Beardy's body The body of Linda Mary Beardy was discovered by workers at the Brady Road Resource Management Facility on April 4, 2023, and reported to authorities. Beardy was a member of the Lake St. Martin First Nation and lived in Winnipeg before her death. Her death initially raised suspicions that there was a connection to the deaths of Skibicki's four other victims, who were suspected to be located at nearby landfills, as some of Contois' remains were found at the same site as Beardy's. Winnipeg Police later determined that Beardy was not a victim of homicide, after witnesses reported seeing her climbing into a garbage bin, which was later picked up by a truck, hours before her body was found. Police chief Danny Smyth stated there were "no other injuries that suggest any kind of foul play." Beardy's family released a statement criticizing the approach Winnipeg police took in their transparency and expressed concerns that the Winnipeg police "may not be compelled to complete a thorough investigation." == Criminal proceedings and conviction ==

Skibicki was charged by authorities on May 18, 2022, for the killing of Contois. On December 1, 2022, police announced that Skibicki was charged with three counts of first degree murder for the additional killings of Harris, Myran, and Buffalo Woman. On November 6, 2023, in a pretrial hearing, Skibicki pleaded not guilty and made a motion that the trial should be heard by a judge rather than a jury, a motion that the Crown opposed. On January 24, 2024, a judge ruled that Skibicki did not have a right to a trial before a judge without the Crown's consent. In May 2024, after Skibicki's legal team decided not to contest whether or not Skibicki killed the women and focus on seeking a finding of not criminally responsible due to mental disorder, both sides agreed to a judge-only trial. ==Reactions==

Law enforcement Winnipeg Police Chief Danny Smyth stated in a press conference that it was unsettling whenever there is any kind of serial killing, highlighting that the women were Indigenous and stating "We’re very sensitive to the whole missing and murdered Indigenous women investigation and inquiry and the recommendations that came out of that." MLA for Point Douglas Bernadette Smith, whose sister went missing in 2008, supported the decision to refer to one of the victims as "Buffalo Woman". Smith attended a vigil for missing and murdered Indigenous women held following the announcement of further victims. Interim PC leader Wayne Ewasko apologized in March 2025 for the PC's 2023 campaign ads promoting their decision not to search the Prairie Green landfill. In May 2025, during Obby Khan's first legislative speech as PC leader after winning the 2025 leadership election, he also apologized for the ads. Indigenous leaders Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs' Organization, which represents two of the reserves that the victims were from, stated: “We will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers as you grapple with the news that your loved ones have been taken from us in such a violent way.” Kyra Wilson, Chief of the Long Plain First Nation, where Harris and Myran were from, called for further support for Indigenous women, two-spirit, and gender diverse individuals, in addition to support due to the deaths of two community members. Wilson highlighted the disproportionate violence committed towards Indigenous women for many generations. The Assembly of First Nations, which was holding a special chief's assembly in Ottawa, held a moment of silence in honour of the victims and their families on December 6, 2022. Community reactions A candlelight vigil was held outside of Skibicki's home on December 1, 2022, for individuals grieving the loss of the women and other loved ones. ==See also==