OPP SUV - (CJ Goater/Acadia Broadcasting)

The following story contains sensitive subject matter that may be upsetting to readers.

Multiple police services in the Thunder Bay area are continuing a homicide investigation into the death of Deborah Anishinabie.

Anishinabie, who is from Sandy Lake First Nation, was reported missing on December 5 last year in Thunder Bay.

On December 18, the missing persons case ended, and the Thunder Bay Police Service charged a 24-year-old man with indignity to a human body.

Police in Thunder Bay never officially confirmed the cases were connected, but the Nishnawbe Aski Nation linked the death and charge.

In January, the accused charged with indignity to a human body was also charged with second-degree murder.

On Monday, the provincial police, the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS), and the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service are searching for evidence at the Thunder Bay Solid Waste and Recycling Facility.

One of the focuses of the search is looking for partial human remains.

City police say there is no threat to public safety.

“The Thunder Bay Police Service offers its continued support to members of Deborah’s family and community and recognizes that this news will be troubling and may be traumatizing,” said the TBPS in a media release.

“There is a deeply emotional connection to this search and the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).”

City police have provided the following resources for those impacted by the investigation:

• Beendigen: Crisis Line: 807-346-HELP (4357) or 1-888-200-9997
• Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre: 807-345-5840 or 1-855-345-5840
• NAN Hope 1-844-NAN-HOPE (626-4673)
• Ontario Native Women’s Association: 1-800-667-0816
• Anishnawbe Mushkiki: Phone: 807-623-0383
• Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services: 807-684-1051

Police in Thunder Bay plan on providing more information as it becomes available.