Victim identified in Wikwemikong homicide investigation

OPP News Release

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WIKWEMIKONG – Wikwemikong Tribal Police along with members of the Manitoulin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are continuing their investigation into the death of a Wikwemikong resident.

A Post Mortem Examination was conducted on Monday July 18, 2011 at the Sudbury Regional Hospital. The identity of the victim of this homicide is now confirmed to be that of Matthew Jacob SHAWANDE age 29 of the Wikwemikong First Nation.

On July 17, 2011 at approximately 1:30 PM, Wikwemikong Tribal Police received a 9-1-1 call about a male without vital signs near a residence on Kaboni Road on the Wikwemikong Reserve.

Officers from Wikwemikong Tribal Police, and Sudbury Area Ambulance medics responded to the location. A deceased male with obvious signs of trauma was discovered.

The OPP North East Region Crime Unit and the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) under the direction of Detective Inspector Martin Graham of CIB are assisting with the investigation at the request of the Wikwemikong Tribal Police.

Also, members of the OPP Forensic Identification Unit are now on scene with members of the OPP Northeast Emergency Response Team to collect evidence from the crime scene.

Police are appealing to the public - if anyone has any knowledge of this crime they are asked to call police at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where they can remain anonymous. If their information leads to an arrest they may be entitled to a cash reward.

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