The death of a First Nations woman found frozen near her home in Manitoba’s Interlake was initially determined to be a medical incident, but her family believes there is more to her death.
Rose Stagg was at a wake service in Fairford, Man., last Friday when someone came up to her with tragic news.
“She said, ‘We have an emergency. Your sister’s been found frozen,’” Stagg told CTV News.
Her sister, April Woodhouse, 50, was found lying outside on the steps of a house in Pinaymootang First Nation—about 240 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg—not far from where she lived.
“When I got there, she was lying on the kitchen floor, all wrapped up and there was a couple of heaters they had going, and trying to warm her up and thaw her out and stuff,” Stagg said.
She said her sister was taken to the hospital in Ashern with a faint heartbeat, but died hours later despite efforts to revive her.
However, Stagg said the family started noticing signs that led them to believe April did not simply fall asleep and freeze to death.
“My sister would never, ever do that, to just fall asleep outside anywhere, never. I found that strange,” Stagg said.
In the hospital, she said they were told April had signs of internal bleeding. When Stagg went into the hospital room, she noticed something else.
“I was holding her hand, and I noticed her hands were badly beaten,” she said, adding there were marks on her sister’s body.
“This is not a sign of freezing. My sister was beaten and left for dead.”
When Stagg called RCMP, she was told her sister’s death was not being considered a homicide.
Manitoba RCMP launch investigation, await autopsy for answers
When CTV News first reached out to Manitoba RCMP on Tuesday, a spokesperson said April’s death was a “medical incident.”
“Nothing criminal in nature occurred,” an email from RCMP reads.
However, one day later, RCMP responded to CTV News again. This time the police said an investigation is underway.
“Gypsumville RCMP, along with our Major Crime Services, are investigating this death,” Sgt. Paul Manaigre, an RCMP media relations officer, wrote in an email.
He said RCMP are aware of rumours circulating through the community.
“The autopsy has been scheduled for early next week which should provide information on any criminality or if it was due to exposure,” he said.
“Officers in the community are currently taking statements of those that may have information and with those that may have been in contact with her prior to her death.”
‘It’s someone we love’: Family left with questions
Stagg said she was contacted by RCMP Major Crimes Services Wednesday and was told an investigation into her sister’s death is ongoing.
While she’s relieved, Stagg is still left with questions. One in particular is hanging over her head – what really happened to her sister?
“It’s someone we love. It’s someone that’s loved by many, someone that has children, somebody that has grandchildren, sisters, a brother,” she said.
Since her sister’s death nearly one week ago, Stagg said she can’t sleep or function. She has a CD of her sister singing at a country festival. She’s been listening to it over and over again.
“She was a very beautiful singer,” Stagg said, adding her sister loved to sing and would record gospel music. “She sang lots, and we sang together.”
Stagg said April has four children and eight grandchildren with two more on the way.
“She was loved by so many people. She would never harm anyone; that was not her nature,” she said. “She was loving, always kind, and everyone loved her.”
Stagg said the family is now awaiting autopsy results before planning a funeral.
-with files from CTV’s Jon Hendricks
