The remains of Morgan Harris, a victim of convicted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki, have been recovered from a Manitoba landfill, alongside efforts to search for her and other Indigenous women who were murdered.
Remains of Indigenous Woman Found in Manitoba Landfill Linked to Serial Killer
Remains of Indigenous Woman Found in Manitoba Landfill Linked to Serial Killer
Police recover the remains of Morgan Harris, highlighting the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada.
The remains of Morgan Harris, a 39-year-old Indigenous woman murdered by a serial killer, were discovered during a search of the Prairie Green Landfill in the Manitoba province of Canada, according to police reports. Authorities confirmed the recovery of Harris' remains north of Winnipeg, where a comprehensive search had been orchestrated following increased pressure from Indigenous officials.
Harris, along with 26-year-old Marcedes Myran, who also belonged to the Long Plain First Nation, were among four Indigenous women murdered in 2022 by Jeremy Skibicki. The serial killer disposed of their bodies in two separate landfills over a span of three months. The search initiative at the Prairie Green Landfill commenced late last year, fueled by advocacy from Indigenous leaders demanding justice for the slain women.
Expressing gratitude mixed with sorrow, Cambria Harris, Morgan's daughter, shared her feelings on Facebook, labeling the discovery of her mother's remains as a "very bittersweet moment." She urged others to keep their families in their thoughts during this challenging time.
In the beginning, law enforcement was hesitant to conduct a landfill search, and protocols suggested that such an endeavor would require extensive time and financial resources, estimated at up to C$184 million (£100 million; $128 million). After public outcry, the Manitoba government allocated C$20 million towards the search for the remains, a commitment that received federal matching funds.
Skibicki, who was convicted in July 2022 for the murders of Harris, Myran, and a third woman, Rebecca Contois, was revealed to have avoided detection for months. His arrest followed the discovery of partial human remains in a bin outside his residence.
The situation underscores Canada’s prolonged struggle with violence against Indigenous women and girls. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) report that Indigenous women represent 10% of Canada’s missing women and account for 16% of female homicides, despite making up only 4% of the overall female population in the country.
