By Canadian Press

Sentencing hearing for Winnipeg serial killer to hear from women’s families

Aug 28, 2024 | 2:01 AM

WINNIPEG — Families and supporters of four Indigenous women who died at the hands of a serial killer are expected to address the man for the first time today in a Winnipeg courtroom.

A judge convicted Jeremy Skibicki last month of first-degree murder in the 2022 slayings, which put another spotlight on the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada.

A first-degree murder conviction carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.

During the sentencing hearing, families of the women will get a chance to provide victim impact statements.

An Indigenous advocacy organization is also expected to present a statement on behalf of the Indigenous community, after it travelled to various Manitoba locations to hear from members.

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The trial heard Skibicki targeted the women at homeless shelters, then strangled or drowned them before disposing of their remains in garbage bins.

The killings came to light when a man looking for scrap metal found the partial remains of 24-year-old Rebecca Contois in a dumpster in Skibicki’s neighbourhood. More of her remains were discovered at a city-run landfill.

During a police interrogation, Skibicki admitted to killing Contois and the three other women: Morgan Harris, 39; Marcedes Myran, 26; and an unidentified woman an Indigenous grassroots community has named Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman.

Skibicki told police the killings were racially motivated and cited white supremacist beliefs.

At trial, a defence lawyer said Skibicki admitted to the killings but was too mentally ill to be held criminally responsible.

Court of King’s Bench Justice Glenn Joyal said he agreed with a psychiatrist who testified for the Crown that Skibicki didn’t have a mental disorder that affected his ability to know the killings were morally wrong.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 28, 2024.

The Canadian Press