In a heartbreaking revelation, potential human remains were discovered at a landfill site in Manitoba, prompting fears that they may belong to two Indigenous women, Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, who police suspect were victims of a serial killer. The search is unfolding at the Prairie Green landfill, located just north of Winnipeg, where officials reported on April 19, 2023, that forensic experts identified possible human remains during the investigation, igniting hope and anguish among families and the Indigenous community.
- Crisis of missing Indigenous women highlighted
- Possible human remains found in landfill
- Jeremy Skibicki convicted of multiple murders
- Indigenous women face disproportionate violence
- Urgent calls for investigation and justice
- Statistics on missing Native women shared
Morgan Harris, a mother, and Marcedes Myran, both young women with vibrant lives and dreams, have tragically become part of a grim narrative intertwining violence against Indigenous women in Canada. Following a tumultuous year in which their disappearances captured national attention, the authorities have shifted into high gear, keen to bring some closure to their families. “The investigation involving the murders of Rebecca Contois, Marcedes Myran, and Morgan Harris has been one of the most complex and important homicide investigations during my tenure,” Winnipeg Police Chief Danny Smyth professed, acknowledging the heartbreaking calls from their families and communities for justice.
The shocking searches at the landfill follow a troubling pattern that has seen Indigenous women targeted disproportionately in Canada. Despite making up merely 5% of the female population, Indigenous women represent an alarming one-fifth of all women killed in gender-related homicides. This disturbing statistic has turned the focus of many into outrage—the term “genocide” has even been used by a national public inquiry to describe the ongoing violence faced by Indigenous women.
This latest search began after a series of gruesome court testimonies emerged during the trial of Jeremy Skibicki, who was found guilty in July 2024 of killing four Indigenous women. Authorities are currently investigating whether the two missing women were among Skibicki’s victims, as witnesses and families recount chilling experiences leading up to their disappearances. “We’ve all felt the pain and sorrow,” Chief Smyth reflected amidst the flooding of emotions from the community. The harrowing reality is that this isn’t the first instance where families have had to confront the cold, stark reality of missing and murdered Indigenous women; previous cases have similarly shed light on the painful history of violence and neglect across the country.
As the investigation unfolds, the search for the remains of Harris and Myran continues, supported by local Indigenous leaders urging for an immediate and comprehensive investigation. The backlog of unresolved cases in the region remains significant, with many families left searching for answers in the wake of lost loved ones. The specter of violence looms large, highlighting systemic failures that have allowed these tragedies to persist largely unaddressed.
The current status of Harris and Myran’s case remains under active scrutiny, as forensic teams explore the landfill. Officials are committed to identifying the remains to bring depth to the ongoing investigation and perhaps, bring solace to their grieving families. “I understand your calls; the pain and sorrow is unimaginable,” Chief Smyth stated, his voice echoing the cries for justice that resonate throughout Indigenous communities. In a deeply interconnected web of historical wrongs and shared pain, the search for truth in the tragedy of these women’s lives continues. The investigation is a crucial reminder of the urgent need for dialogue, action, and change to address the violence faced by Indigenous women—not just in Manitoba, but across the nation.
