SANDY BAY FIRST NATION — The body of a woman was located early Friday in Sandy Bay First Nation, Manitoba First Nations Police Service said, in an area where several aggressive dogs had been observed.
Initial report and search
Police said they received a call shortly before 1 a.m. Friday from a woman seeking help to find a friend who had been in Sandy Bay on behalf of a non-profit animal rescue organization. The community lies on the western shore of Lake Manitoba, about 70 kilometres northwest of Portage la Prairie.
Officers used a drone to search after locating a ping from the missing woman's phone. The force said the phone ping had a large radius and the aerial search did not immediately find the person.
| Timeline | Details |
|---|---|
| Shortly before 1 a.m., Friday | Call received asking for help locating a friend |
| Early morning (about 6 a.m.) | Woman found dead by a maintenance worker within the phone ping radius |
Location, circumstances and next steps
A maintenance worker discovered the woman at about 6 a.m. within the radius indicated by the phone ping. Police said the discovery occurred in an area where several aggressive dogs had been observed. The Manitoba First Nations Police Service said the cause of death is under investigation and that the circumstances are not believed to be suspicious.
"The cause of the woman's death is under investigation, and the circumstances of her death are not believed to be suspicious,"
The release did not specify whether the woman reported missing in the early-morning call is the same person located later, and police said they will provide updates on the investigation in the coming days.
Public safety and community impact
Authorities noted the presence of aggressive dogs at the scene. That detail, along with the involvement of a volunteer from an animal rescue group, may raise community concern about animal control and responder safety in the area.
- Police used a drone as part of the search after receiving a phone ping with a large radius.
- The discovery was made by a maintenance worker at about 6 a.m.
- Police have not deemed the death suspicious but the cause remains under investigation.
Manitoba First Nations Police Service said further updates will be released as the investigation proceeds. Residents with information are asked to contact the police service; the news release did not provide a specific tip line or contact number.
InfoRadar will continue to monitor official updates and report new information as it becomes available.
