Friends, family members overjoyed as missing woman found alive during search

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This article was published 17/09/2020 (1996 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Friends, family members and concerned Winnipeggers were overjoyed when they found a missing woman during a search Thursday night.

Katelyn Fontaine had not been heard from since Sept. 3. Her family had last seen her Aug. 21.

Her friend Salena May Blunderfield, 26, said Fontaine was spotted by volunteers. Members of the search party raced to an apartment and confronted a man. She said police arrived after they found Fontaine, who was safe. 

She credited a new group called Thunderbirdz for helping with the search, which began at 6 p.m. at 181 Higgins Ave. 

The group of concerned Winnipeggers formed the search party Thursday night to look for the 26-year-old woman.

It was unlike Fontaine to not stay in touch said Blunderfield, the search organizer, who described herself as one of Fontaine’s best friends.

“It’s not like her to not say something to us. She always has a phone,” she said.

“Katelyn is very kind-hearted. She’s very thoughtful, caring. She’s been one of my best friends for many years. We just instantly clicked.”

The Winnipeg Police Service said it was concerned about Fontaine’s well-being; the missing persons unit was investigating her disappearance.

Blunderfield said she organized the search party because the community needed to “take action” on Fontaine’s disappearance.

Blunderfield said she had received support from grassroots organizations.

“We just want her home safe. We want her home safe. We want some answers. This is very concerning… I don’t want her to be another missing Indigenous woman. I don’t want her missing. Let’s bring her home.”

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe