Missing Winnipeg mom urged to contact police
Two young children found gravely injured in Westwood home later die
Police are still searching for Winnipeg mom Lisa Gibson after her two children were found clinging to life in a Westwood home and later died.
Gibson has been missing for over 30 hours, and despite major searches on land and water, police have had no luck locating the 32-year-old woman.
Her two children, aged two months and 18 months according to neighbours, were found critically injured in a Coleridge Park Drive home Wednesday morning.
Police said the last person believed to be with them was Gibson, who is now missing.
"As we’re aware, Ms. Gibson was the last person to our knowledge with the children, so once she’s located and spoken with, where the investigation goes from there remains to be seen," said Const. Eric Hofley.
Officers combed a nearby park, path and the Assiniboine River for clues about where the woman might have gone.
Hofley said police have followed up dozens of tips from the public — including sightings of a strawberry blonde woman pushing a stroller. But none of the leads panned out.
Yellow police tape still flaps in the wind around the woman’s home, with officers moving in and out throughout the day.
A makeshift memorial nearby has grown by the hour, now containing stuffed animals, candles and notes of condolence.
Westwood resident Teresa Butler came to pay her respects at the memorial on Thursday.
"It doesn’t matter why or who did it — these babies are gone," she said. "I had to come just to say a prayer for them."
A friend of Gibson’s lit two candles at the memorial Thursday afternoon — one blue and one pink. She said she met Gibson at a parenting class and said she and seven friends held a private memorial Wednesday evening.
CBC spoke to the brother of Gibson’s husband, Brian. He said Brian was devastated.
Police remain hopeful they will find Lisa Gibson alive.
"We’re still treating this — as we’re searching for Ms. Gibson — that she’s alive," said Hofley.
Police have not yet released information on how the children died. The investigation remains ongoing.
A vigil is planned for the family at 7 p.m. CT at 250 Bedson St. at Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary.