RCMP say 15-year-old, other, arrested after death of 36-year-old woman

Mounties says they are expecting to make more arrests following the murder of a mother whose life was cut short. 

Two suspects were brought into RCMP custody this week, a major move in the case of Tamera Benoit’s (Norman) murder. 

On September 3 near Cottonwood Drive in the RM of Portage la Prairie Manitoba First Nation Police Service officers found human remains. RCMP says those remains were of Benoit, a 36-year-old mother who was last seen in the area as well as Long Plain First Nation on May 23. 

“Tamara was a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend. She was in the midst of researching her family history and learning more about her Métis background and culture. Her life was cut tragically short,” RCMP Manitoba says in a statement. 

Two people have been arrested, including a teenager.

RCMP say a 15-year-old male from Winnipeg was arrested and released without charges on Tuesday. 

On Wednesday, a 37-year-old from Long Plain First Nation was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder 

“Putting the handcuffs on someone and charging them with a homicide provides some justice to the deceased and their family, but the fact remains that a young life has been lost,” Superintendent Michael Koppang, Officer in Charge of Major Crime Services for the Manitoba RCMP says in a statement. “Through all the processes and procedures we go through in an investigation, we never lost sight of Tamara. Our agencies worked closely together, pooling resources and community knowledge, to be able to get to this point. I cannot be more thankful for the assistance we received from both WPS and MFNP.” 

RCMP Manitoba says they, along with the Winnipeg Police Service, and the Manitoba First Nation Police Service worked tirelessly on Benoit’s case. 

Cameron Friesen, the newly appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Manitoba released a statement alongside RCMP regarding the arrest. 

“I extend my gratitude to the RCMP, Winnipeg Police Service and Manitoba First Nation Police Service for their joint forces operation that has led to charges in the tragic and senseless murder of Tamara Benoit.  Too often, Indigenous women and girls have been the victims of violence and their families don’t receive the closure and sense of justice they need to heal,” he writes. “Our government continues to support joint forces efforts from law enforcement through our Policing and Public Safety Strategy and we continue to focus on protecting and supporting our most at-risk and vulnerable citizens.” 

RCMP Manitoba is anticipating further arrests as they continue to investigate.