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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Call off the search

By: editorial

Posted: 09/21/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

A city bulldozer moves around the circle used by the Nepinak family for a memorial at the Brady Landfill. (PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

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Winnipeg police Chief Keith McCaskill says there is no chance of finding the remains of a young woman slain a year ago, whose body is believed buried at the Brady Road landfill. Yet Mr. McCaskill says, out of respect for the family and the aboriginal community, the search goes on. This was a hard decision, but the wrong one.

Both the WPS and the aboriginal community have worked hard to repair wounds in their relationship, scored from past controversies. Some distrust remains, but the WPS has taken care in the investigation of Tanya Nepinak's disappearance -- she is believed to be a victim of an alleged serial killer -- to keep her family apprised of their work. Earlier this year, police were told her body was dumped into a garbage bin subsequently hauled to the landfill.

Police believed they had only a slim chance of finding her remains in the daunting search. Now, however, details have emerged that there were a number of dates the bin might have been picked up, and where at the landfill it was dumped is uncertain. The chance of recovery has gone from slim to none.

Mr. McCaskill says to honour elders, who held ceremonies at the landfill, the police will continue searching in one small area they believe is where Nepinak's body lies.

This is truly tragic; an unimaginably painful reality for a family understandably desperate for some peace. But, while the expense may be minimal, a search only prolongs hope that police themselves say is unjustified.

Ms. Nepinak's family has suffered too much. The better choice is to avoid raising false expectations and to call off the search.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 21, 2012 A12

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