Thunder Bay police concluded a landfill search for Deborah Anishinabie, a First Nations woman, after no evidence was found, marking the city’s first such operation
Thunder Bay Ends Search for Human Remains at Landfill
Thunder Bay has concluded its search for human remains at a municipal landfill. This search was related to the 2024 death of a First Nations woman. The city’s chief of police stated that this outcome does not rule out future searches.
Details of the Search
The search for Deborah Anishinabie began last fall. It was the first operation of its kind in Northwestern Ontario. Despite nearly two months of searching, no evidence was found, according to Thunder Bay Police Chief Darcy Fleury.
“It was an expensive venture, and it’s unfortunate that we didn’t find the evidence that we were looking for. But we had to do the search,” he said. This search was part of addressing the national crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Community and Police Involvement
Local authorities received help from the Ontario Provincial Police and the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service. They consulted with political representatives and police officials from Manitoba, who had success in similar searches last year.
The total cost of the search was around $700,000. This included a team of at least 20 officers on site each day and two full-time managers.
Chief’s Comments on Future Searches
Chief Fleury expressed gratitude to advocates for recognizing the police service’s efforts. He acknowledged past criticisms of the Thunder Bay police regarding systemic racism.
When asked if this search’s outcome would affect future landfill searches, Chief Fleury said, “Every case is different.” He emphasized the importance of weighing circumstances before deciding on a search.
Background on Deborah Anishinabie
Deborah Anishinabie, a member of Sandy Lake First Nation, was living in Thunder Bay for work and education. She went missing in December 2024 at the age of 42. Her family held vigils and spread awareness about her disappearance. Police later confirmed her death and found some of her remains in the city.
Levi Michael Lawson, now 25, was arrested in 2024. He faces charges of second-degree murder and indignity to a human body. He is awaiting a trial date after a preliminary hearing.
Family’s Response and Future Funding
Ms. Anishinabie’s family and friends declined interviews. Alvin Fiddler, Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, stated he has kept in touch with her relatives. Ms. Anishinabie is survived by her teenage daughter and siblings. Her father and mother both passed away recently.
“What the family really wants is for a search to continue in some way possible,” Mr. Fiddler said. Chief Fleury hopes to recover the search costs. However, the Solicitor-General of Ontario stated that no request for funding has been received.
Context of Landfill Searches in Canada
Landfill searches have sparked controversy in recent years. Some argue they are necessary for humanitarian reasons, while others cite high costs and safety concerns. In Manitoba, police initially refused to conduct searches for victims of a serial killer. This decision led to public outcry and influenced the 2023 provincial election.
Eventually, a new government spent $18 million to locate two victims’ remains. A third search is ongoing this winter.
Logistical Differences in Searches
Chief Fleury noted that Thunder Bay’s search was different from Manitoba’s. While Manitoba used GPS data to locate search areas, Thunder Bay followed evidence without pinpointing specific locations.
