RCMP charge two more in ‘particularly horrible’ homicide

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This article was published 10/08/2020 (1501 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A “horrendous, vile and senseless” crime.

That’s how RCMP Supt. Michael Koppang described the slaying of Gerhard Reimer-Wiebe, who police say was killed at a home in Winnipeg before his body was dumped in Portage la Prairie, some 75 kilometres west.

On Tuesday, the Mounties announced two new arrests in the case: Bobby Lynn Hall, 26, and Chelsea O’Hanley, 24, both of Winnipeg. The two women were charged with first-degree murder, forcible confinement and indignity to a dead human body.

Two earlier arrests were announced July 29-30: Kyle Evan Sinkovits, 29, and Jonathan Bradley Narvey, 25, both of Winnipeg. The men were charged with first-degree murder, forcible confinement and indignity to a dead human body.

The “extensive” investigation into Reimer-Wiebe’s death, which included multiple crime scenes, began June 24, when human remains were discovered near Baker Street in Portage la Prairie. The investigation led police to a residence on Alfred Avenue in Winnipeg, where officials believe Reimer-Wiebe was killed.

On July 15, the RCMP asked for the public’s help in identifying four individuals in June 20 surveillance footage. In response, hundreds of tips were received, the Mounties said.

“The four people charged… are the same people who were captured on surveillance footage at a Portage la Prairie convenience store casually getting some drinks and food on the morning… we believe the body was placed in Portage la Prairie,” Koppang said.

The residence on Alfred Avenue — where police allege the homicide took place — later burned to the ground. Koppang declined comment when asked if officials believe the fire was deliberately set to cover-up a crime scene. No charges have been laid in connection with the blaze.

It remains unknown at this time what connection existed between either the co-accused or the victim to the residence on Alfred Avenue.

“At some point, the four individuals had a connection to the house, but what exactly that was, I’m not in the position to directly comment,” Koppang said.

“As this case is ongoing and now before the courts, I cannot provide any additional details, speak about the motive, or speculate how Gerhard ended up being with these four individuals.”

Forensic specialists continue to examine debris from the Alfred Avenue residence.

Koppang was tight-lipped Tuesday when pressed for additional details. He would not speak to motive, method of death, the manner in which the body was disposed of or the connection between victim and co-accused.

Koppang did make clear he considered Reimer-Wiebe’s death gruesome.

“I’m the officer in charge of major crimes services. We deal with horrible all the time. This was — again, without mincing words — particularly horrible, but the details will have to (be) disclosed in the court proceedings,” he said.

While the investigation is ongoing, Koppang said there is no ongoing threat to public safety.

Winnipeg has logged 29 homicides in 2020, including Reimer-Wiebe’s death. In 2019, Winnipeg recorded its highest number of homicides in a single year: 44.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe