'Far from a cold case': Police make 'critical progress' in Thelma Krull disappearance
'Police believe Thelma was the victim of foul play,' Winnipeg Const. Jay Murray says
Exactly two years after the day Thelma Krull disappeared, police say a tip that came in last fall has helped investigators get closer to the truth about what happened to the 57-year-old Winnipeg grandmother.
"Investigators are certainly further along in this investigation than they were a year ago," Winnipeg police Const. Jay Murray said Tuesday, adding police have made "critical progress" and it is "far from a cold case."
Investigators previously speculated one of two things happened to Krull: either she had a medical incident and went missing or she was the victim of foul play. Murray said investigators determined within the last year the latter is likely true.
Krull was last seen at about 7:20 a.m. CT on July 11, 2015, when she left her home in the Grassie Boulevard area for a walk. Investigators believe she made it to Civic Park near Kildonan East Collegiate at about 8 a.m. She hasn't been reported seen since.
It's been two years. That's a long time to be without a loved one and I think we all hope we can bring a conclusion to this investigation sooner than later.- Const. Jay Murray
Dozens of searches ensued and investigators located several pieces of evidence, including Krull's glasses and cellphone.
On the one-year anniversary of her disappearance, police announced Krull may have been abducted.
In October 2016, police received a tip about a possible sighting of Krull with a man near Kimberly Avenue and Gateway Road on the morning of her disappearance. The man is described as five feet, eight inches and 270 pounds with a bowl cut.
Police believe he is a suspect in connection with her disappearance, but have yet to identify or make contact with the individual, Murray said.
"Homicide investigators would like to speak with anyone who may have information about this male or possible sighting of this male with Thelma in his company.
"There's the potential chance for somebody who has information, who may know a little more about this case, to have withheld that information, and this, again, a plea for them to come forward."
Police won't release more detailed information right now because they don't want to compromise the investigation, Murray said. Investigators are expected to release more details in the coming weeks.
Krull is about five feet, four inches, and 170 pounds, with short dyed blond hair with a purple streak. She was last seen wearing a reddish-orange T-shirt, capri pants, a black fanny pack and tan or brown shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.
"The family has been entirely co-operative with us since the very beginning and I can't imagine what they're going through at this time," Murray said.
"It's been two years. That's a long time to be without a loved one and I think we all hope we can bring a conclusion to this investigation sooner than later."
Clarifications
- At the police news conference, Const. Jay Murray said they believe investigators have an idea of the identity of the man seen with Thelma Krull, but he later said he misspoke. An earlier version of this story included that quotation.Jul 11, 2017 2:24 PM CT
With files from Erin Brohman