Ashlee Shingoose Obituary, Death; – Canadian authorities have officially identified a missing Indigenous woman who was murdered by a serial killer in 2022.
Ashlee Shingoose, aged 30, was the first of four victims killed by Jeremy Skibicki in Manitoba. Until her identity was uncovered by investigators and announced on Wednesday, she was known only by the name Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, meaning Buffalo Woman.
Law enforcement officials also provided additional information regarding Ms. Shingoose’s death, including the identification of the local landfill where they believe her remains may be found.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has committed to searching the landfill at the request of her family, in hopes of locating her body. Alongside Shingoose, Morgan Harris, 39, Marcedes Myran, 26, and Rebecca Contois, 24, were also victims of Skibicki, who has been convicted of all four murders and is currently serving a life sentence.
Harris and Myran were identified earlier this month after their remains were discovered in the Prairie Green Landfill, located north of Winnipeg. The search at this site is ongoing, with additional remains continuing to be uncovered, as reported by the Manitoba premier.
During a press conference, Winnipeg Police Deputy Chief Cam Mackid confirmed that the Shingoose family was informed of her death on Tuesday.
Chief Raymond Flett of the St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation expressed to reporters that while the news is “heartbreaking,” it is also “welcome.” He shared a letter from Shingoose’s mother, who urged, “Please start the search as soon as possible. It has been a long time waiting. I need to bring her home. I need closure. Enough. Search the landfill as soon as possible.”
The chief emphasized that many other Indigenous Canadians have “been murdered without proper investigative accountability.” A national inquiry revealed that Indigenous women in Canada are 12 times more likely to be missing or murdered compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts.
A statement from the Winnipeg Police Service indicated that police received “new information” in December 2024, which “led investigators to make a preliminary identification.” The positive identification was confirmed following the collection of specific evidence.
