Michelle Allan

Kris Ketonen

A 24-year-old man facing an indignity to a body charge in the death of Deborah Anishinabie of Sandy Lake First Nation has now also been charged with second-degree murder, the 

Levi Michael Lawson&nbsp;appeared in court and was remanded into custody. The murder charge was laid as a result of the ongoing investigation, police said.

 in the area of the 800 block of Finlayson Street and the 400 block of McKellar Street North, according to statements 

Man charged with indignity to human body after remains found in Thunder Bay over the weekend

The Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) says a person has been charged with indignity to a human body after human remains were discovered on the south side of town over the weekend. While police say they will not be publicly releasing the identity of the deceased at this time, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) says the remains belonged to missing woman Deborah Anishinabie.

A person is seen sitting on some rocks. They are smiling.

Deborah Anishinabie, 42, is described by her family as a kind and bubbly person who enjoys shopping, spending time outdoors, and playing games.

Deborah Anishinabie

Deborah Anishinabie, 42, was described by her family as a kind and bubbly person who enjoyed shopping, spending time outdoors and playing games.

Court documents obtained by CBC&nbsp;News state that Lawson is accused of indecently&nbsp;interfering&nbsp;with&nbsp;Anishinabie's remains between Dec. 5 and 7, and he was&nbsp;initially charged with 

&nbsp;Under the Criminal Code, that charge is laid&nbsp;when someone is alleged to&nbsp;have "improperly or indecently"&nbsp;interfered&nbsp;with or offered "any indignity to a dead human body or human remains, whether buried or not."

Anishinabie, 42, was last seen leaving New Newfie's Pub on Simpson Street on Dec. 5 around 2 a.m. ET.

 who was living in Thunder Bay with her daughter at the time of her disappearance. Anishinabie was close with&nbsp;

Previous warrant at time of alleged offences: court docs

Lawson appeared in court for three charges predating the allegations related to Anishinabie, according to the court documents.

Major crimes and forensics unit investigating on McKellar Street in Thunder Bay

The Thunder Bay Police Service says to expect a visible police presence in the area as members of the Major Crimes Unit and Forensic Identification Unit are involved in an investigation.

Thunder Bay police were present on McKellar Street on Sunday morning and afternoon for an investigation.  

Crime scene

The court alleges Lawson broke into Adult &amp; Teen Challenge Car Donation on May Street, stole a Chevrolet pickup truck&nbsp;and damaged a vehicle belonging to the donation centre on Sept.&nbsp;9, 2023.

He was&nbsp;also charged with break and enter,&nbsp;stealing a vehicle&nbsp;and wilfully causing over $5,000 worth of damage to a vehicle.

'We just want her back,' says family of missing woman in Thunder Bay, Ont.

There's a candlelight vigil walk Thursday evening for Deborah Anishinabie, a week after her disappearance in Thunder Bay, Ont. As the family ramps up search efforts and community outreach, here's what they shared about Anishinabie and how her disappearance is very unusual.

Two people are seen standing outside, holding a 'missing' poster.

Donna Wheal, left, and Stacey Fiddler hold missing person posters for their relative, Deborah Anishinabie. Anishinabie was last seen on Simpson Street in Thunder Bay, Ont., on Dec. 5.

Donna Wheal and Stacey Fiddler

A warrant was issued, according to a court endorsement dated Sept.&nbsp;23, 2023.

Lawson worked as a technician in the automotive industry, including at multiple repair shops in Thunder Bay, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He is scheduled for another court appearance on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Levi Michael Lawson, 24, faces charges of second-degree murder and indignity to a human body after Deborah Anishinabie's remains were found last month.

What we know about the man charged with murder, indignity to a body in Deborah Anishinabie case

Previous warrant at time of alleged offences: court docs

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