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By Nigel Maxwell

Unsolved Cases

Prince Albert homicide victim remembered as ‘great kid’ and ‘devoted father’

Jan 13, 2021 | 3:35 PM

UPDATE: Prince Albert Police issued a second request for the public’s assistance Monday, Jan.18, in locating 26-year-old Joseph Curtis MADDEN, who is charged in connection with the death of 21-year-old Madison Rene Bird-Simaganis earlier this month. A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for MADDEN’s arrest on one count of second degree murder.

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As Prince Albert police investigate the city’s first suspected homicide of 2021, family and friends of the victim are speaking out.

Madison Rene Bird-Simaganis, from Little Red River First Nation, was initially found by police late Saturday night, following a traffic stop in the 1400 block of Sixth Ave. W.

The 21-year-old was suffering from serious, life-threatening injuries, and transported by ambulance to hospital where he passed away the following morning. The obituary and statement from the family has since been posted to paNOW, and revealed Bird-Simaganis leaves behind a young daughter, and had another child on the way.

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“He leaves behind a beautiful daughter, Arlene, and a family that will always cherish and continue to celebrate his life. Madison was a devoted father and a loving son, brother, nephew, cousin, grandson, and friend,” the statement said.

Following the traffic stop, police later attended a residence in the 800 block of 13^th Street West. The Prince Albert Police Service has since identified a suspect in this homicide and are asking for the public’s help in locating 26-year-old Joseph Curtis Madden. A warrant has been issued for Madden’s arrest on one count of second degree murder.

Joseph Curtis Madden is also known to go by the name of Curtis and has ties to the Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and Cumberland House areas. (Prince Albert Police Service).

Madden was described by police as 5’6” tall and 140 lbs. He has a tattoo of a cross on his left hand between the thumb and forefinger, and a tattoo of “Madden” on his right forearm. At this stage the details of the incident remain unclear but the family indicated Bird-Simaganis may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Madison stepped into a situation that he never expected to lose his life. He was trying to help,” the statement from the victim’s family said. “This was the kind of man Madison was, always ready to help wherever it is needed. This is what we want him remembered for.”

Bird-Simaganis. (Facebook)

Aaron Desj coordinates a gang prevention and reintegration program in Regina, and knew Bird-Simaganis for roughly a month and a half. Prior to coming back to Prince Albert before Christmas, Bird was employed with the HIRE program (transitional employment), while staying at a local correctional halfway house.

“He was doing great here, we didn’t want him to move home and he expressed some concerns about moving back but he really missed his family,” Desj said.

Desj further described Bird as a “great kid” with a “good work ethic” and recalled how Bird often talked about making a positive change in his life.

“I’m just really sad to hear of his passing, another young father and man lost to senseless violence,” Desj said. “He will be missed by all of us at the HIRE program. He was part of the family.”

The wake service was scheduled to take place Wednesday, and the funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 2 p.m. Both services are to be held at the Little Red River Band Hall.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell