Remains near Stead belonged to missing man

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/07/2021 (1552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Police say human remains found in Stead earlier this month have been positively identified as being those of Clifford Joseph, whose June 7 disappearance sparked a massive manhunt for his neighbour, Eric Wildman.

No arrests have been made in Joseph’s disappearance and no charges have been laid, Manitoba RCMP said Tuesday.

“For the sake of his family, I think they will have closure. His daughter won’t have to wonder anymore,” said Brandi Vezina, who grew up with Joseph in a community near Lake Winnipeg.

“But it’s devastating. It’s heartbreaking.”

She wishes she could’ve visited Joseph, whom she described as a hard-working family man, one last time.

Joseph, 40, was last seen on Road 44 East in the RM of St. Clements early on June 7. RCMP identified Wildman as a “person of interest” a few days later and said the case was being investigated as a homicide.

Joseph’s vehicle was found parked outside Wildman’s home the day he was reported missing and several of Joseph’s personal items were found on the road leading into his property.

Police found Wildman’s vehicle June 11 and after securing a search warrant, recovered firearms, police tactical equipment, clothing patches and other items resembling police clothing. Police charged him with transportation of a firearm contrary to regulation and possession of a prohibited device.

The seizure of the police items brought to mind the deadly rampage of Gabriel Wortman, who, disguised as an RCMP officer, killed 22 people over the course of two days in Nova Scotia in April 2020.

Wildman, 34, was arrested June 18, more than 2,000 kilometres from home, after shots were fired at Ontario Provincial Police officers trying to execute a search warrant at a residence outside of Belleville.

Police there had received multiple tips from community residents of a vehicle matching the one Wildman was believed to be driving parked at the home.

After a tense, four-hour standoff, Wildman and another man surrendered to police.

Ontario police charged Wildman with two counts of attempted murder and possession of a restricted firearm in connection to the standoff.

Wildman was returned to Winnipeg shortly after his arrest and remains in custody. His next court date is Aug. 9.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca