Leah Anderson's killer was male, known to girl, RCMP say
Police narrow list of suspects in connection with 15-year-old girl's slaying
The killer who took 15-year-old Leah Anderson's life four years ago was male and known to the girl, Manitoba RCMP announced Tuesday in a Facebook post.
The Cree girl's body was found on a snowmobile trail on Jan. 6, 2013, in Gods Lake Narrows after she had been missing for two days. She had been beaten and disfigured so violently that initially people believed she had been mauled by dogs.
Her death was later deemed a homicide by police.
On Tuesday, a social media post by Manitoba RCMP said investigators have made significant advancements in the case and have narrowed down a list of suspects.
"Police are aggressively following up on the final aspects of the investigation so officers can move forward into a position where an arrest can be made," the post reads.
Police said voluntary DNA samples as well as polygraph tests have helped to make progress in the case.
Josie Anderson, Leah's aunt, expects police will make a significant announcement "soon." She told CBC News on Tuesday she cannot comment beyond what RCMP have posted to Facebook.
Leah remembered as popular, funny
Police have turned to social media a number of times over the last four years in an attempt to stir up leads in Leah's homicide. Despite those efforts and a cash reward, no arrests have been made.
In 2015, Anderson organized an 800-kilometre-long walk from Gods Lake Narrows to Winnipeg to raise awareness about her niece's case.
The girl was last seen by her family heading out the door to skate at a local rink. She initially planned to skate with a friend but when plans fell through, she headed out on her own.
"Somewhere between her door and the arena, Leah met her killer," the RCMP post read.
RCMP added evidence shows Leah tried to defend herself and fought for her life before she died.
"The popular, funny girl with so much potential was gone. Not only was the community dealing with the grief of losing Leah, they had to come to terms with the brutal manner of her death and the fact that in their isolated community, where the ice road in and out was closed, the killer was still there," RCMP said.
Gods Lake Narrows is only accessible by plane, boat or ice road in the winter. The small Cree community is 550 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg by air.
Police said they are still open to tips from the public that can help them track down Leah's killer.
with files from Connie Walker