Family makes public appeal in search for missing woman

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This article was published 12/01/2022 (1367 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The family of a Berens River First Nation woman reported to be missing in Winnipeg for more than two weeks fear she’s in harm’s way.

Candace McKay-Paul, 34, hasn’t spoken to family since Dec. 28 — which her eldest sister, Jessica Maude, said is out-of-character for the mother and grandmother.

“Candace is vulnerable and we are concerned for her well-being. Candace is very loving, kind and very protective of her family,” Maude said from Pauingassi First Nation during a virtual news event Wednesday organized by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak.

McKay-Paul, who lives in Winnipeg, was last seen Dec. 29 by city police and a building owner in a suite inside an apartment block at 729 Wellington Ave., her sister told the Free Press.

She was reported missing Jan. 6, Winnipeg Police Service Const. Rob Carver said. That day, police and community organization the Bear Clan Patrol issued a poster seeking information on the missing mother.

“Each day that passes, as a family, we’ve become more concerned. It has been 16 days without any contact from Candace,” Maude said. “Candace has two sons and one grandchild who miss her and want her home.”

McKay-Paul is 5-6, weighs 115 to 135 pounds, has shoulder-length brown hair and tattoos on her forearms and neck. Maude asked anyone with information about her sister’s whereabouts to contact the WPS missing persons unit at 204-986-6250.

MKO missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls liaison unit director Hilda Anderson-Pyrz emphasized the stress the family is under, as the search is underway in Winnipeg.

“It’s very challenging times right now in the midst of a pandemic, but it’s equally challenging for Jessica as she is not residing in Winnipeg,” she said.

“We’ve often said that there needs to be more supports and resources for families who have loved ones who are missing, especially when the family is from a community outside of Winnipeg,” Anderson-Pyrz said, calling it heart-wrenching for families.

Carver said an investigation is underway. He noted in some missing person cases, police don’t issue public notifications through the media.

“Over the past year, the Winnipeg Police Service received 7,780 missing person reports, averaging 707 per month,” he said.

“It would not be practical for us to issue a media release in each case. Investigators use various criteria to determine whether an individual case should be the subject of a media release.”

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca