Manitoba

Body found in Sage Creek likely not a criminal matter: police

Winnipeg police say a body in the late stages of decomposition was found in a field south of Sage Creek Thursday afternoon.

Discovered in advanced stages of decomposition; identity expected to be confirmed next week

Several police officers and vehicles were seen near this field by the Perimeter Highway on the southern border of Sage Creek Thursday afternoon and evening where a body was found. (John Einarson/CBC)

Winnipeg police say a body found yesterday in Sage Creek is linked to a missing person, but not a high-profile case, or a crime.

Constable Rob Carver says a city worker found a badly decomposed body in the Sage Creek area.

Officers were called to the open field by Highway 59, the Perimeter Highway and Plessis Road, just before 3 p.m.

Carver says all indications are that the body has been there for just under a year and was in advanced stages of decomposition. The cause of death hasn't been released. 

Police were no longer at the scene as of Friday but the investigation continues. (John Einarson/CBC)

Carver said so far there is no indication there is anything criminal in the matter.

But he says it won't make it any easier for the family of the person found.

"These situations are always tragic. Families look for closure but this is not the closure families are looking for usually. And when we've found human remains it's a horrible scenario," Carver said. 

He says the remains appear to have been there for just under a year.

Carver says there is no indication it is connected to the disappearance of Thelma Krull, who vanished in July of 2015 after going for an early-morning walk. 

On Friday afternoon, a police spokesperson estimated the identity of the remains should be confirmed next week.