WINNIPEG – Bones have been found on the bank of the Red River just hours before a group plans to drag the river in search of evidence for missing and murdered aboriginal women.
The discovery was made Tuesday just after 6 p.m. along Higgins Avenue and Annabella Street , according to police.
It’s unclear at this point whether the bones are human.
Bernadette Smith, whose sister Claudette Osborne went missing in 2008, is one of the organizers of the drag. Smith has been in contact with Winnipeg police who say they support her efforts.
“Our members are not directly involved in the search, however we are present and will be monitoring the search efforts,” said Const. Jason Michalyshen.
Winnipeg police will have a two member patrol unit and a boat monitoring the search efforts.
“If this is a way for the members of the public to come together to get answers and potential resolution, we support that,” said Michalyshen.
The group thinks the answers could be lying at the bottom of the Red and possibly be uncovered by a team of volunteers who will face many challenges.
“We know it’s a fast moving river, there’s a significant amount of current, even throughout the summer the temperatures of the river are quite cold,” said Michalyshen.
The decision to search the river was made after 15-year-old Tina Fontaine’s body was pulled from the Red near the Alexander Docks in August.
Police refuse to comment on how Fontaine died or whether they are close to making an arrest in the case.
The drag is expected to start Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Alexander Docks.
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