Victim’s family says police charged wrong person with murder

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This article was published 05/01/2022 (1732 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The family of a Winnipeg homicide victim is offering a $10,000 reward for tips that lead to a new arrest, as they believe police have charged the wrong person with the crime.

Lise Danais, 51, died after being assaulted March 26, 2019, in her Southdale neighbourhood home. Four months later, the Winnipeg Police Service announced a male youth had been charged with first-degree murder.

The identity of the accused is protected under a Youth Criminal Justice Act publication ban. Police have only said the accused and Danais “were not strangers.”

In November, the victim’s family hired a private investigation firm to look into the case. At a media event Wednesday, Kristin Bibik of Independent Investigators Inc. told reporters the family is “frustrated” and feels they’re not being heard.

More than 20 supporters stood silently outside the downtown Law Courts building in -24 C temperatures Wednesday afternoon, “Here in solidarity to say more can be done,” Bibik said.

“The family, extended family and friends do not for a moment believe the person charged is the person who committed this terrible crime. They believe police have targeted the wrong person.”

Bibik suggested police were under a lot of pressure as they investigated a record number of homicides in 2019. Three months into 2019, Danais was Winnipeg’s 11th homicide victim.

“The family believes police may have succumbed to tunnel vision, and as a result, did not fully investigate other persons of interest, even when evidence was presented to them,” Bibik said.

She didn’t elaborate when asked what evidence the private investigation has gathered that points to alternative suspects. She said the family believes there is more evidence that hasn’t been properly considered.

The family has repeatedly gone to police but still feel evidence has been overlooked, Bibik said. “They feel as though they aren’t being heard and they’re just trying to get the public to hear them.”

The firm is asking for public tips by phone and email at 431-887-8477 or tips@independentinvestigators.net.

The Winnipeg Police Service didn’t respond to a request for comment.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca