Remains in landfill identified as slaying victim

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This article was published 20/06/2022 (918 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg police say human remains discovered by investigators at the Brady Road Landfill last week have been identified as those of Rebecca Contois.

Police say the family of the 24-year-old slaying victim was notified and the homicide unit is continuing with its investigation.

The remains were found on June 14, after police searchers had combed through a large marked-off section at the landfill at the south end of the city for about two weeks.

Contois’ partial remains had been found in a garbage container behind an apartment on Edison Avenue on May 16.

Two days later, police charged Jeremy Anthony Michael Skibicki, 35, with first-degree murder, an offence that indicates the Crown believes the slaying was premeditated. Court records show police believe Contois was slain on or around May 14.

Police have said there is a possibility there are other victims.

Skibicki is scheduled to appear in court June 27.

The landfill search involved officers who wore protective gear, including full-face respirators and methane-detection equipment. The initial search involved an area the size of four to six football fields. A drone was used to define the search area and was narrowed done to the size of 1.5 football fields. The team had to contend with heavy rain and heat.

An excavator dug up debris, dumped it at a site and was sifted through by the search team.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca