‘There’s a hole in the lives of everyone who knew them’

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This article was published 11/02/2025 (211 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One year after a Carman woman and four children died in a mass slaying, their families are struggling with a profound sense of grief and loss that never releases its grip.

Gatherings are taking place today to remember Amanda Clearwater, her kids — Bethany, 6, Jayven, 4, and Isabella, two months — and her 17-year-old cousin, Myah-Lee Gratton, who were allegedly killed by Clearwater’s common-law partner Feb. 11, 2024.

“It’s hard to believe a year has passed. It feels like just yesterday, yet the pain of missing them is so overwhelming,” Lisa Lehmann, a spokeswoman for the Clearwater family, said of Amanda, 30, and her children.

“The weight of it all feels heavy, and (the family) continue to feel lost without them.”

The Clearwater family is holding a vigil in a Carman playground where Amanda took her children. It will soon be home to a memorial.

Myah-Lee’s mother Juliette Hastings, who lives in Winnipeg, wants to spend some time in Assiniboine Park, which is a place of happy memories, with a memorial sign that features her daughter’s name and photo.

“I want to take her to the park where we always went,” Hastings said. “I want Myah to be remembered and honoured because she was beautiful. She had a heart like gold for everybody.”

Hastings said she continues to go through a roller-coaster of emotions.

“It’s exhausting having to relive those moments again and again … and to pick myself up again,” she said.

Manitoba reacted with grief, shock and anger after the slayings, which prompted calls for action to prevent intimate partner violence.

Ryan Manoakeesick, 30, is charged with five counts of first-degree murder. He was the father of Clearwater’s three children. His trial is scheduled to begin in April 2026.

The five victims and suspect, who RCMP said were Indigenous, lived together in a house in Carman, about 70 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg.

The victims were found at three crime scenes in southern Manitoba. Clearwater was discovered in a ditch south of Carman.

About two hours later, her children’s bodies were found and Manoakeesick was arrested when RCMP were called to a burning vehicle north of Elie. Officers then found Myah-Lee’s body in the Carman home.

As they mark one year since the deaths, the Clearwater family remembered Amanda as a loving mother and loyal friend.

“If you were in her circle, you were in for life,” Lehmann said. “She gave everything to her children and always put others first.”

The family said Bethany was full of energy and joy, with a quirky, fun-loving personality that could light up any room.

Jayven was remembered for his love of dinosaurs and an eagerness to help his mom, which was attributed to his “big heart” and a love of caring for others.

Isabella, a newborn, brought so much peace and love into the world with her calm and gentle spirit, Lehmann said.

“It’s impossible to fully express how much they are missed,” she said. “There’s a hole in the lives of everyone who knew them, and the pain of their loss is felt every day. Their absence leaves an emptiness, but the love they shared and the memories of who they were will always stay with those who loved them.”

Myah-Lee, a Carman Collegiate student who played sports, had a larger-than-life personality, and adored her younger siblings, her mother said.

Hastings recalled her daughter’s laughter and smile. She draws strength from her memories of Myah-Lee.

“She was bold, beautiful and funny. Very charismatic,” she said.

“I love her and miss her, and I’ll keep fighting for her.”

Hastings filed a lawsuit in October alleging Myah-Lee’s death was a direct result of gross negligence and inaction by Child and Family Services.

Hastings claims CFS ignored pleas to remove her daughter from the home despite being aware of a violent incident and other concerns involving Manoakeesick.

He had a history of substance abuse and mental-health struggles, according to court records.

While she was not under a formal guardianship order when she died, CFS was responsible for ensuring Myah-Lee’s safety, her mother claims.

Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said recommendations stemming from a review are being implemented.

“We’re looking at modernizing CFS policies, so that’s to strengthen best practices for front-line staff, and identifying potential dangerous situations and (focusing) on ensuring that those are identified and addressed as quickly as possible to keep children safe,” Fontaine said.

Two new CFS hires will ensure that case workers, police officers, school staff and health-care workers are sharing information. Other steps, including a review of the Protecting Children (Information Sharing) Act, are being taken.

The office of Sherry Gott, Manitoba’s advocate for children and youth, continues to conduct a separate review of Myah-Lee’s involvement with CFS, a spokesperson said.

Premier Wab Kinew remains open to the possibility of a public inquiry in the future, a spokesperson said.

Kinew visited Carman in May to announce $20,000 in provincial funding for a memorial and a $300,000 grant for Carman Wellness Connections.

The memorial will be located in the playground where Clearwater took her children, and where they will be remembered at today’s vigil.

The vigil will recognize all victims of gender-based and intimate partner violence, which the Clearwater family said needs to be addressed more urgently.

Manitoba had the second-highest rates of police-reported intimate partner and family violence among Canadian provinces in 2022, Statistics Canada data shows.

“The root cause often lies in harmful patterns of control and power imbalances, but other factors, such as mental-health issues, societal normalization of violence and the lack of strong support systems also contribute,” Lehmann said.

“The government must not only raise awareness, but also ensure there are accessible mental-health resources and supports for both survivors and those at risk of perpetuating violence. Providing proper mental-health care is a key part of breaking the cycle of abuse. It’s time to prioritize this issue.”

Fontaine said Manitoba is taking steps to address gender-based and intimate partner violence.

Last week, the province announced more than $800,000 in funding for five prevention programs aimed at men and boys.

The funding is part of a $12.5-million bilateral agreement with the federal government as part of a national plan to end gender-based violence.

“We have to be engaging men and boys in respect of gender-based violence. Men have a significant role in addressing this,” Fontaine said. “This isn’t a women’s issue. While it’s couched in that language, it is 100 per cent, for the most part, a male issue. This is about male violence.”

Lehmann said the memorial project and the support of the community, the premier and others have brought comfort to the Clearwaters.

The events of Feb. 11, 2024, continue to affect Carman, which is home to about 3,100 people.

Carman Wellness Connections helped people access mental-health supports and services after the homicides. The province’s grant allowed the non-profit organization to hire three part-time employees, including Lehmann, to provide a consistent presence in the community.

“It’s hard to put words to the depth of that, and the grief the community has felt, along with the family,” said Lehmann, a co-ordinator with Carman Wellness Connections.

“I think there’s been a collective response of solidarity and support, and as the one-year anniversary (is marked) there’s a palpable sense of loss. We’re still processing the trauma.”

— with files from Dean Pritchard

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca