THUNDER BAY

The search for 41-year-old Deborah Anishinabie, a resident of Sandy Lake First Nation, has ended in sorrow as authorities confirm she has been found deceased. This deeply distressing news comes after she was reported missing since December 5, when she was last seen leaving a bar on Simpson Street.

On Wednesday, Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) expressed his condolences in a statement, revealing that the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) informed her family about the recovery of her body in the vicinity of Finlayson Street. The police had been investigating the area around Finlayson and McKellar Streets since December 14.

Fiddler acknowledged the family's anguish and the heartbreaking reality that their hopes for a positive outcome had been shattered. “For nearly two weeks, we have hoped that the prayers of Deborah's family would be answered... Sadly, our worst fears have come true,” he stated. He emphasized NAN’s commitment to ensuring that the family receives the answers they deserve, while urging the community to remain patient as investigations continue.

While TBPS has not confirmed specific details surrounding Deborah's disappearance, they did issue separate announcements to clarify that she is no longer considered a missing person, alongside the confirmation of a body being discovered over the weekend. A suspect has already been charged with committing an indignity to a human body, pointing to a complex and troubling investigation.

In a poignant tribute, Lorrie Deschamps, president of Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute, expressed the community’s heartbreak over the loss of Deborah. Deschamps described her as a beloved student, a graduate of the institute's Personal Support Worker program, and noted that Deborah was set to return for further education in January. “Deborah was a kind soul who brought warmth and light wherever she went,” she reflected, highlighting the positive impact she had on her peers and community as a role model.

The circumstances surrounding Deborah Anishinabie's death remain under investigation as the community mourns her tragic loss. This case not only underscores systemic issues surrounding the safety of Indigenous women but also calls for heightened awareness and action within the community. As the investigation unfolds, many are left searching for justice and answers in the wake of this tragedy.