Manitoba RCMP are in Prince Albert looking for anyone who has information about the homicides of Brent Denechezhe and Leona Tssessaze in Northern Manitoba in 2021. (submitted photo/RCMP)

By Susan McNeil

Clues lead to Prince Albert

Manitoba RCMP follow homicide lead to Prince Albert

Mar 26, 2024 | 3:17 PM

Homicide investigators from Manitoba are in Prince Albert looking for witnesses in a double homicide in Northland Denesuline First Nation in the northwest of Manitoba in 2021.

RCMP did not specify what evidence lead them to Prince Albert, but said they are following the clues wherever they go.

“Our time in Northlands Denesuline First Nation and the information that has been coming to us after we put out the pleas for help has resulted in us travelling to Prince Albert,” said lead investigator Const. David Giroux. “We keep following the investigation where it leads. We will not give up on finding answers about the deaths of these two young people who had their whole lives ahead of them.”

Officers said that on Sept. 9, 2021, first responders were called to a house fire on the Northland Denesuline First Nation, which is so remote that it can only be accessed by vehicle for two months in the winter.

Inside the home, investigators found the remains of Brent Denechezhe, age 31, and Leona Tssessaze, age 24.

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It was determined within days that the two were murdered and RCMP launched a criminal investigation.

Police are still looking for information on the homicides and want to know of anyone leaving the community right after the murders and who has not gone back.

They are also looking for anyone that saw someone leaving Denechezhe’s home between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2021, the day of the murder.

The investigation has also gone digital as police say someone has a photo of Tssessaze taken shortly before she died.

“We also have received information that people are sharing a photograph on Snapchat of Leona, which was taken shortly before her death,” said Giroux. “We know this photo exists, but we have not seen it. We would really like to see that photo and speak to anyone who has any information related to it.”

In Prince Albert, potential witnesses can still call the RCMP Manitoba tip line at 431-489-8112 or speak to a local police officer.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com