Bodies of young brothers, 10 and 13, recovered from Manitoba lake

NUTIMIK LAKE – The body of a 13-year-old boy has been recovered from a Manitoba lake a day after his 10-year-old brother’s body was found near the shore.

Aaron Au Ramirez and his younger brother Maximo Au Ramirez disappeared into Nutimik Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park on Saturday.

Maximo’s body was recovered Wednesday evening, after a boat on the water discovered him near Sturgeon Falls Trail.

RCMP say Aaron’s body was found Thursday evening.

Their parents said earlier in the day in a statement shared by RCMP that they were in “unimaginable pain.” 

Haidee Ramirez and Roger Au thanked the countless volunteers and search organizations that combed the water and shorelines or provided them with “hugs, prayers and hope.”

“What we’ve gone through is not humanly possible to understand. We’re surviving only because of the help of those around us,” the parents said in a statement read to media by RCMP Staff Sgt. Cory Meyers. 

“Please keep our sons, who were always faithful and kind, in your thoughts and in your prayers.”

Police said about 20 boats were on the water, along with a dive team. Crews from the Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team, the First Nations-led Turtle Aquatic Response Inc., and the Rosenort Fire Department were helping with the search. 

Premier Wab Kinew called the situation “heartbreaking” and said his government was examining next steps. 

“The mind just races and the heart fills with compassion for these boys, for their family and everybody who knew them,” he told reporters from Charlottetown, where he was meeting with other premiers. 

“We do have a responsibility around keeping Manitobans safe.”

Environment Minister Mike Moyes ordered his department to assess high-risk trails and areas in the province’s more than 90 parks. 

“We’re going to take a comprehensive approach to ensuring that Manitobans can enjoy nature,” said Moyes. 

An assessment of Sturgeon Falls was completed this week, and Moyes expected to have the results on Friday. 

The trail was closed after the boys went in the water Saturday, and it’s to remain closed until additional safety measures can be put in place. 

The area already has warning signs that describe slippery or hidden rocks, strong currents and a steep drop-off. 

Moyes said the government could look at adding fencing, barricades or more signage. It could also close some of the smaller trails that branch off from the main one at Sturgeon Falls. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2026. 

— By Brittany Hobson in Winnipeg, with files from Ian Bickis