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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Police seek info on accused killer, establish toll-free number

Victim's body returned to Cross Lake

By: Aldo Santin

Posted: 07/7/2012 1:00 AM

Winnipeg police are reaching out across the country in their bid to build a case against alleged serial killer Shawn Cameron Lamb.

Police announced a national toll-free number -- 1-855-817-4949 -- has been set up in hopes anyone with relevant information about Lamb's activities here or anywhere else he has lived will call.

It's the first time the WPS has created a national toll-free number for a case, but it's a step the official in charge of the investigation believes is worthwhile.

"If somebody comes forward with more information on other crimes in other areas, through our homicide unit we'll request assistance from other agencies and we'll investigate them," said Insp. Rick Guyader, head of the WPS major crimes unit.

Lamb, 52, of Winnipeg, is accused of killing three women since last fall.

Lamb faces three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Tanya Nepinak on Sept. 13, 2011, Carolyn Sinclair on Dec. 18, 2011, and Lorna Blacksmith on Jan. 12 of this year.

Sinclair and Blacksmith's bodies were found, wrapped in plastic near Dumpsters in the city's West End, but Nepinak's remains have not been located.

Guyader said this is probably the biggest homicide investigation in which he's been involved.

The investigation is still at the preliminary stage, he said -- investigators are divided into one group examining the three local homicides and another group looking into Lamb's activities in other parts of the country.

"We've never had a case of this magnitude. We want to make sure we cover all the bases," Guyader said.

The Free Press asked the WPS on Friday to provide a photograph of Lamb that might help the public identify him. However, spokeswoman Patrol Sgt. Monica Stothers declined the request.

Lamb, originally from the Sarnia, Ont., area, has a lengthy criminal record involving violence against women in several communities across the country.

Guyader said that was one of the factors in the decision to set up a national toll-free number, to seek information about possible events that may have happened elsewhere in Canada.

Guyader dismissed suggestions the toll-free number is a sign the case against Lamb is weak and investigators are desperate to build it up.

He said officers simply want to touch all bases.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca

Victim's body returned to Cross Lake

A funeral service will be held this afternoon at Cross Lake for Lorna Blacksmith.

Her body was returned Thursday to the community of her birth, where several hundred local residents gathered to meet her one more time.

"This has been a tragic loss for everyone here," Coun. Donnie McKay said.

Blacksmith, 18, was a popular figure in the community and her disappearance in January troubled everyone, McKay said. However, confirmation of her death, he said, was a painful moment.

"The community has been totally devastated, filled with grief," McKay said.

The funeral will take place in the Mikisew School gymnasium, Blacksmith's last school.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 7, 2012 A5