Homicide detectives probe death of man whose body was found on Saturday

The death of a man whose body was found in the North End over the weekend is being investigated as a homicide, Winnipeg police say.

At 3 p.m. on Saturday, police responded to a report of suspicious circumstances on Flora Avenue, between Robinson and King streets, where they found the body of a man identified as Brooklyn Elijah Hiebert, 20, from Winnipeg, Const. Dani McKinnon told reporters at a Monday news conference.

Hiebert was found outside of a church but the homicide unit has already begun a widespread canvas of the entire area near where the man's body was found, according to McKinnon.

"He was not reported as a missing person, but he did not … have a permanent address," she said.

"He did move around a little bit, but he was certainly known to frequent that area," she said, adding that Hiebert often visited some shelters and social service organizations there.

Hiebert was known to police, McKinnon said.

"He was known to have some struggle with drug addiction. He may have had some gang affiliation," she said. "I'm just mentioning that because we're really asking who may have had any contact with Mr. Hiebert to come forward."

McKinnon could not comment on Hiebert's last known location or the nature of his fatal injuries.

On Monday morning, CBC News observed the police service's forensics unit investigating outside of a home on Selkirk Avenue, between King and Charles streets. Police have confirmed the unit is investigating Hiebert's death, the city's 43rd homicide of 2023.

'Very difficult' spike in homicides: police chief

At the news conference, Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth said the number began to spike in November, and it has been "a very difficult last two months."

"We've all gone through major trauma with the pandemic. We're seeing the strain that addiction [and] mental health has brought," he said.

"I don't think there's any one thing [causing it], but I think we're seeing a myriad of things that have contributed a lot to our homicide count in the last few years."

Anyone with information, including those who recently interacted with Hiebert or who may have video surveillance footage in the area where his body was found, is asked to contact the homicide unit at 204-986-6508, Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 or to send a secure tip online.