No chance Wood alive, police say; suspect won’t tell them where to find body

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This article was published 10/04/2017 (3132 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Months after their daughter walked out of the hotel they were staying in while in the city for a medical appointment, a parent’s worst nightmare has come true.

Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson, of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, said while a man has been charged with the slaying of 21-year-old Christine Wood, her parents are now going through hell because police don’t know where their daughter’s body is.

Winnipeg police confirmed Monday they have found evidence that Wood somehow went from a hotel on Berry Street on Aug. 19, 2016, to 341 Burrows Ave., where she died.

Brett Ronald Overby, 30, has been charged with second degree-murder.

Police wouldn’t disclose what they found in the house, but homicide unit Sgt. John O’Donovan said even though Wood’s body has not been located, “there’s not a one in 20 trillion chance that she is alive.

“We didn’t know she was dead until we got into that house… the main reason we can’t find her is because (Overby) won’t tell us.”

North Wilson said the family is grieving at their home community of Bunibonibee First Nation, formerly Oxford House, but plan to return to Winnipeg Wednesday to take part in a vigil. Details still need to be confirmed.

North Wilson read a statement from Wood’s parents, George and Melinda Wood, who said “after the most difficult eight months of our lives, we’re now mourning the loss of our beautiful daughter.

“We are heartbroken and overwhelmed — we never imagined life without our Christine.”

The parents also said they wanted to thank their “family, friends and all the people, both in Winnipeg and at home in Oxford House, who have supported us and searched for Christine all these months. The love and kindness we have experienced has helped carry our family through this terrible time. We are grateful for the Winnipeg Police Service’s efforts to find our daughter and are hopeful for some form of justice.

“At this time we ask for privacy as we try to come to terms with the loss of our sweet girl, Christine.”

North Wilson said the family hasn’t been alone since their worst fears were confirmed.

“The community is responding as a community with love and compassion,” she said.

North Wilson said even though they have heard from police, the family still has a bit of faith Wood is alive.

“They have faith right now that there’s a miracle and she is still alive, but more evidence is showing up she is not.”

Afterward, North Wilson asked how the person charged could have committed a crime like this.

“He has a car, a home, a job and yet somehow society gave him the message you can do this to an indigenous young girl,” she said.

“Whoever is in this man’s life should have intervened and told him it was wrong.”

O’Donovan said they believe Wood didn’t know Overby and it likely was “a chance meeting” that brought the two together. He said she was dead “probably hours… not a long time” after getting to 341 Burrows Ave.

O’Donovan said they called RCMP in Bunibonibee First Nation to deliver the news personally to Wood’s parents.

“We did not give them good news,” he said. “We literally crushed their hope and made their worst dream a nightmare.”

On Monday, all of the windows at the single storey bungalow had their drapes closed or were covered. In the backyard was an older model black car with a blue tarp on the hood and two bundles of short wooden stakes piled on top. A large vinyl garden shed was at the back fence.

A driveway at the side of the house had two large pieces of old plywood blocking access to the backyard. Someone had painted the word ‘welcome’ on it with a picture of flowers beside it.

Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth said on Monday police executed a search warrant on the address on March 21, after receiving information based on an electronic device Wood had and social media.

Smyth said Overby was arrested at that time and charged with an unrelated offence. According to court records, Overby is charged with a domestic-violence assault on a woman. The assault is alleged to have taken place between Jan. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2016.

The chief said the police service’s forensic identification unit stayed in the house for several days collecting evidence until the Crown attorney’s office authorized a second-degree murder charge April 7.

“It is with sadness I report Christine’s body has not been located,” Smyth said, adding police continue to investigate.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact homicide investigators at 204-986-6508 or Crimestoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca