Body found at The Pas three years ago declared homicide

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This article was published 03/10/2022 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An 18-year-old woman whose remains were found in The Pas three years ago has been deemed a victim of homicide.

RCMP issued a new appeal for tips in their investigation into the death of Kendara Ballantyne (who would have turned 22 Tuesday), after major crimes investigators recently determined the death was a criminal act.

Ballantyne was found dead Aug. 6, 2019, near the University College of the North, 11 days after she had been reported missing. She had last been seen July 18 in the northern Manitoba town.

“It’s been three years since Kendara’s remains were found. Three years without her in our lives… Since her death, we all feel the void and it’s indescribable,” her aunt, Lorraine Packo, said in a statement Tuesday via the RCMP.

“We need closure; we need justice for Kendara. My family and I have been and will continue to raise awareness to her case. We need to ensure that she is not forgotten. We need to keep saying her name. Please, if anyone has any information, come forward.”

RCMP have not released a cause of death, nor revealed any details of the circumstances of Ballantyne’s disappearance.

“As the investigation is very much ongoing at this time, we are unable to provide any further specifics,” Manitoba RCMP spokeswoman Tara Seel said in an email, though she confirmed the death was only determined to be a homicide “recently.”

Mounties are asking anyone who has information on Ballantyne’s whereabouts at the end of June 2019, or who has information on her disappearance or death, to call their tip line at 431-489-8106.

The appeal for answers in Ballantyne’s death came on the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTTQ+ People.

In Winnipeg, events were planned Tuesday at Kildonan Park and The Forks from early morning until evening, culminating with a candlelight vigil.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @erik_pindera