Authorities in Manitoba have confirmed the recovery of the remains of an indigenous woman, Morgan Harris, believed to be a victim of a convicted serial killer. The discovery was made at the Prairie Green Landfill, located just north of Winnipeg, following a focused search by police.
Harris, aged 39, along with 26-year-old Marcedes Myran, both from Long Plain First Nation, were reported missing in connection with a series of murders committed by Jeremy Skibicki in 2022. Officials have stated that two sets of remains have been located during the operation.
Search efforts and community response
The search for Harris and Myran began late last year after indigenous leaders launched a significant campaign urging for the investigation. In a poignant Facebook post, Cambria Harris, Morgan’s daughter, expressed her mixed emotions about the finding, calling it a “very bittersweet moment.” She urged the community to keep families affected by these tragedies in their thoughts.
“Please keep our families in your hearts tonight and every day going forward as we trust this process,”
The initial reluctance from police to search the landfill was met with criticism, particularly after a federal government report indicated that an extensive search could take up to three years and incur costs of approximately C$184 million, raising concerns about the safety of workers due to potential exposure to hazardous materials. Ultimately, the Manitoba government allocated C$20 million for the search, a commitment that was matched by federal funding.
Background on the murders
In July of the previous year, Skibicki was convicted of the murders of Harris, Myran, and a third victim, Rebecca Contois, 24, from O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation. He is also charged with the murder of an unidentified woman, known as Buffalo Woman. The crimes were uncovered after a passerby discovered partial human remains in a bin outside of Skibicki’s apartment, prompting police investigations.
Canada continues to confront a troubling crisis concerning missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. Statistics from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) indicate that indigenous women constitute 10% of the missing women in Canada and represent 16% of homicides among females, despite making up only 4% of the female population nationwide.