Krull may have been with heavy-set man in E.K., police say

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/10/2016 (3356 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg police say Thelma Krull may have been seen with a “heavy-set male” in the East Kildonan area on July 11, 2015, the day she disappeared.

Police said the information came to them as a tip exactly one year after Krull, 57, had left her Harbourview South home for a walk in the East Kildonan or Valley Gardens area.

On Wednesday, police said the tip included information that a woman with “similar descriptors of Thelma Krull” was seen in the area of Kimberly Avenue, east of Gateway Road, and was reported to have been in the company of a heavy-set male who was said to be aboriginal in appearance, approximately five-foot-eight, weighing about 270 pounds with a bowl-style haircut.

“Absolutely, it gives us hope and it reaffirms that the police are still going at this really hard, which is so important to us, the family and friends and the community,” said Connie Muscat, a close friend of Krull’s. “As much as it (news) stopped in the media side of it and stopped in the news, it hasn’t stopped in the community and on Facebook. People are reaching out constantly. This touched so many people. It’s warming to us.”

Muscat said she was contacted early Wednesday by Krull’s husband Robert to let her know about the announcement police were about to make.

“‘What if they’ve got something?’ That was my first thought when I had a call from Thelma’s husband this morning,” she said. “Thelma’s family, they’re so wonderful. They’ve been just so good about keeping contact with us as close friends and making sure that we hear everything from them so nothing comes as a surprise, as much as they can.”

Police have not ruled out the possibility that Krull was kidnapped, but members of the Homicide Unit have been investigating Krull’s disappearance.

“Clearly, this information has the potential to impact the investigation; however more information is required to ultimately determine its relevance,” police said in a media statement.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Dan Lett | Not for Attribution

Tuesdays

A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world.

Sign up for Dan Lett | Not for Attribution

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Krull had been preparing for a more challenging hike that she had planned for later in the summer of 2015 by going hiking or taking longer walks, and left her house early on July 11. Video footage of her walking was captured by a neighbour’s security camera at 7:23 a.m.

Police said they believe that Krull walked from her residence to the area known as Civic Park, near Valley Gardens Middle School, arriving at about 8 a.m., where “she experienced some form of distress.” Investigators recovered her glasses and cellphone from the area.

Krull has been described as being five-foot-four and about 170 pounds with short, dyed-blond hair with a purple streak. She was last seen wearing a reddish-orange, brightly coloured T-shirt, three-quarter-length black capri-style pants with a black fanny pack and wearing tan or brown hiking-style boots.

Police are asking anyone who may have information regarding the possible sighting of Krull with an aboriginal male in the area of Kimberly Avenue East of Gateway Road — including anyone who may have provided information previously — to contact the Homicide Unit at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca

Timeline