New ‘Buffalo Woman' identified
The woman was identified as Melanie McKay on Saturday after someone sent her family a social-media post with an updated sketch of the woman, the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre said in a news release Tuesday.
The then-unidentified woman was given the Indigenous name Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, on Thursday. That is the same name given to Ashlee Shingoose before she was identified as one of the four victims of serial killer Jeremy Skibicki.
SUPPLIED
A news conference in which the new sketch was displayed was held in downtown Winnipeg on Thursday.
'We are deeply grateful to everyone in the community who shared the information, looked at the poster, gave thoughtful suggestions and took the time to care about Melanie,' the release stated.
'You were the heart of this effort in bringing her home and giving this family answers. In just 48 hours, the information reached her family, all because of you.'
McKay's parents travelled to Winnipeg to claim her remains Monday, Ma Mawi said.
'While there are many reasons people may become estranged from their loved ones, we ask the community to treat the family with kindness as they grieve,' the release said.
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McKay was found in a stairwell inside the Manwin Hotel on Aug. 10, 2024. Her death is not believed to be suspicious.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
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