Winnipeg police say foul play is not suspected in the death of a First Nations woman whose body was found in a city landfill earlier this week.
The remains of Linda Mary Beardy, 33, were found Monday afternoon by staff at the Brady landfill in south Winnipeg.
Police have previously said homicide detectives were investigating Beardy’s death as suspicious.
Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth said Thursday Beardy was seen on surveillance video climbing into a garbage bin alone after exiting a store in the 2200 block of Pembina Hwy Monday morning, and was not seen afterward.
The bin was later picked up by truck and its contents were taken to Brady Road landfill, Smyth said.
Smyth said an autopsy completed Tuesday found no evidence of foul play.
“We’re satisfied this is not a homicide,” Smyth said, noting toxicology results are pending.
Beardy was a member of Lake St. Martin First Nation but grew up in Winnipeg and was living in the city at the time of her death.
Family has described Beardy as someone who fiercely supported her four older sisters, their children and her own four children, who were her pride and joy.
The family says Beardy had a strong Christian faith and attended Believers Church in central Winnipeg.
“Linda was our baby girl, a mommy, our sister, auntie, niece, cousin and friend. She will always be truly deeply loved beyond measure,” the family said in a statement sent out prior to Winnipeg police holding their press conference Thursday.
“This is who our loved one Linda Beardy is and how she will be remembered in our hearts.”
Lake St. Martin First Nation Chief Chris Traverse said Beardy had been living in Winnipeg as a flood evacuee of since 2011.
He said the community is devastated and heartbroken as they try to comprehend what happened to her.
Smyth said several tips from the public helped investigators trace Beardy’s steps prior to when her body was discovered.
Nothing unusual happened in the store and police said they do not know why Beardy went into the bin. They are hoping for more information from the public as the investigation continues.
The discovery of Beardy’s body raised suspicion after the remains of Rebecca Contois were found in the same landfill in June.
Police have said that Contois’ killing and the killings of other women believed to have ended up in landfills were not linked to Beardy’s death.
The remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran are believed to be in the privately run Prairie Green landfill north of Winnipeg, police have said, but their bodies have not been found.
Jeremy Skibicki has been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Contois, Harris and Myran — all First Nations women — as well as an unidentified woman Indigenous leaders have named Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman. Police have also not located her remains.
An Indigenous-led committee is in the process of putting together a feasibility study to search the Prairie Green landfill, which is expected to be completed in the next four to six weeks.
Operations at the Brady landfill have been paused as police investigated Beardy’s death.
A city spokesperson said the landfill and the Brady 4R Depot will remain closed until further notice.
–With files from Brittany Hobson and Steve Lambert at The Canadian Press
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