Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
WINNIPEG — The discovery of a second body on an Ethelbert property has left the tiny community of 300 in an even deeper shock, Mayor Mitch Michaluk said Monday night.
"People are uncertain, shocked, they just don’t know how it happened. We’re not immune — why us?" Michaluk said.
While there is widespread speculation of the identities of the two people, RCMP have not publicly named the woman in her 70s found dead in a house Saturday, or an adult male found dead on the property Monday.
"Her identity, while suspected, has not been confirmed," Sgt. Line Karpish said Monday. "During the course of the investigation, a search of the property grounds resulted in officers discovering the deceased body of an adult male individual. His identity has yet to be confirmed. "The cause of his death remains unknown until autopsy results are obtained," Karpish said. "However, the death is being treated as suspicious at the present time."
Karpish said autopsies were to be carried out in Winnipeg, but results were not yet available.
Michaluk said he only heard around 6 p.m. Monday that police had found a second body.
The house backs onto the Fork River, the mayor said. "It’s not a large property. There’s a river that runs behind it, the Fork River. There’s bush there."
Michaluk said that police have not told residents anything about their investigation and until people hear more, they fear for their safety.
"Citizens are phoning me and expecting me to have the answers, and I don’t. They’re concerned, they’re worried," said Michaluk.
The mayor could not recall anything similar having happened in the community north of Dauphin.
Neighbours of the victim said the deceased is Elsie Steppa and she moved from Toronto in the mid-1990s.
They said Steppa lived with her nephew, Harry Jones, who is in his mid-40s, and multiple dogs and cats.
Neighbours say she kept to herself.
Nadia Pelechaty, a neighbour who lives two doors down from Steppa, said she and a friend grew suspicious when they noticed smoke was no longer coming from Steppa’s chimney.
Pelechaty said they checked with a local store and an employee there confirmed they hadn’t seen Steppa in "a long time." Pelechaty said they informed Michaluk, who called police.
"It makes me very scared because this is a small town and there is never crime here. I keep watching police come and go from her house. I’m very upset by this," Pelechaty said Sunday.
Residents said on Sunday that the whereabouts of Jones were unknown.
» Winnipeg Free Press
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition January 22, 2013
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
WINNIPEG — The discovery of a second body on an Ethelbert property has left the tiny community of 300 in an even deeper shock, Mayor Mitch Michaluk said Monday night.
"People are uncertain, shocked, they just don’t know how it happened. We’re not immune — why us?" Michaluk said.
Already subscribed? Login to view full article.
Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup
WINNIPEG — The discovery of a second body on an Ethelbert property has left the tiny community of 300 in an even deeper shock, Mayor Mitch Michaluk said Monday night.
"People are uncertain, shocked, they just don’t know how it happened. We’re not immune — why us?" Michaluk said.
A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.
Most Popular
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.