Body pulled from Manitoba’s Red River thought to be boy who fell through ice

WINNIPEG – Police believe they may be one step closer to bringing little Nathaniel Thorassie home.

Divers pulled a body from the Red River Sunday afternoon that is thought to be the six-year-old Winnipeg boy who fell into the water last year.

Police have not identified the remains, but say clues suggest the body could be that of Nathaniel.

“There is some indication that we might be dealing with a child,” Const. Jason Michalyshen said Monday.

“However, we’re not able to confirm that. There is a lot of speculation with regards to who this may be and we’re hopeful. We’re hopeful for the reason that we want to bring closure to the family.”

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Nathaniel was playing Dec. 4 on the icy Red River with his 10-year-old brother when he fell into the dark, frigid water. The older boy was rescued by a passerby, but police and volunteer divers searched in vain for two months for his sibling in treacherous conditions.

Police have pulled partial remains from a site about seven kilometres from where Nathaniel fell in. An autopsy is pending and officers are waiting for the results before they can confirm the identity, Michalyshen said.

“There is a lot of information” to suggest this is Nathaniel’s body, but police want to be 100 per cent sure, he added.

“We’re always very careful given the sensitive nature of what we’re dealing with.”

Facing temperatures of -30 C, divers went below a metre of ice into fast-moving, muddy water to search for the boy’s body. Police divers described the operation as “black water diving” because the poor visibility made it seem like divers were working with their eyes closed.

As divers searched, family and friends held several quiet ceremonies in the snow by the water’s edge. Some beat drums while others gave offerings of tobacco. An eagle was spotted in the area, giving the Thorassie family hope Nathaniel was still nearby.

Michalyshen couldn’t say when the autopsy would be concluded.

“When you are dealing with a young child, so many people can relate,” Michalyshen said.

“When anyone loses a child, the toll that takes on anyone either directly or indirectly involved, it’s very emotional for everybody. This closure, although it’s for the family members, I think it’s going to bring closure to a lot of members directly involved.”