Manitoba RCMP announced the arrest of a 52-year-old Thompson man Tuesday morning, in connection with the Bobbie Lynn Moose homicide investigation.
Moose, a 29-year-old mother of two, was found dead in Thompson on Oct. 17, 2019 near Nelson Road in the northern Manitoba community.
Police arrested Thompson resident Jack Clarence Flett, who is now in custody in Winnipeg, on Wednesday. He has been charged with first-degree murder.
RCMP Supt. Michael Koppang of Major Crime Services said investigators spent more than 25,000 hours over 21 months working on the case, which included hundreds of interviews, combing through more than 50,000 hours of video surveillance, and distributing pamphlets in Cree to the community.
The help of the community played a big role in identifying the suspect, said Assistant Commissioner Jane MacLatchy, commanding officer of the Manitoba RCMP.
“It’s truly heartbreaking that such a young woman as Bobbie was taken away from her family and her loved ones and community,” MacLatchy said.
“This investigation relied on community involvement, support, and outreach, and I want to thank every person who supported our efforts in finding justice for Bobbie.
“Violence against Indigenous women and girls in Manitoba and across Canada is an ongoing national tragedy, and we all have a role to play to reduce and, one day, eliminate this violence.”
Moose was born and raised in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and had a large, close family — two brothers, six sisters and 18 nieces and nephews — who, along with police, have made several pleas to the public since her death, asking for any information.
RCMP confirmed Tuesday that Moose and Flett knew each other, something they had long suspected.