UPDATE: Police conducting landfill search in relation to homicide investigation

September 22, 2025

TB24050228

September 22, 2025
 
Police are undertaking a new evidence search relating to a continuing investigation.
 
Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service, with assistance from Ontario Provincial Police and the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, will conduct a search for evidence beginning on Monday, September 22, at the Thunder Bay Solid Waste and Recycling Facility as part of the homicide investigation into the death of Deborah Anishinabie. This will include a search for partial human remains. This effort follows previous searches of areas of the south side of the city that were conducted earlier this year.
 
There is no threat to public safety.
 
The Thunder Bay Police Service offers its continued support to members of Deborah’s family and community and recognizes that this news will be troubling and may be traumatizing. There is a deeply emotional connection to this search and the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Indigenous women and girls are more likely to go missing or to be murdered than non-Indigenous women and girls.
 
We encourage anyone affected or triggered by this development to access available support through family, Elders or community resources such as those listed below.
 
The police service has continued to work with and liaise with the family throughout the ongoing investigation and expresses appreciation to Nishnawbe Aski Nation for their support.
 
Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Thunder Bay Police Service at (807) 684-1200. Submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at
www.p3tips.com.
 
No further information is available at this time. Updates will be provided to media when they become available.
 
Support resources: 
• Beendigen: Crisis Line: 807-346-HELP (4357) or 1-888-200-9997 
• Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre: 807-345-5840 or 1-855-345-5840 
• NAN Hope 1-844-NAN-HOPE (626-4673) 
• Ontario Native Women’s Association: 1-800-667-0816 
• Anishnawbe Mushkiki: Phone: 807-623-0383 
• Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services: 807-684-1051
 
Previous media release: 
https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/update-death-determined-to-be-homicide-accused-charged-with-murder
 

 
For Further Information Contact: 
Tracie Smith, Director, Corporate Communications
Thunder Bay Police Service 
807-621-2040

December 31, 2025
The Special Investigations Unit announced it has closed its investigation into an incident involving a Thunder Bay Police Service officer that occurred in September 2025. The SIU found no basis to believe that any officer committed a criminal offence and concluded its investigation. With the conclusion of the SIU investigation, the Thunder Bay Police Service will now commence its required administrative review in accordance with Section 81 of the Community Safety and Policing Act. The purpose of the administrative investigation is to review member conduct, the policing provided, and procedures all as they relate to the incident. This administrative review will be reported to the Thunder Bay Police Service Board upon completion. The Special Investigations Unit media release can be viewed online: https://www.siu.on.ca/siu-concludes-investigation-into-thunder-bay-collision-en10888
December 31, 2025
TB25035077 Charges have been laid following a Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) investigation into a hit and run collision. On September 1, 2025 officers responded to a collision at the intersection of May Street North and Finlayson Street. Upon arrival officers located two damaged cars, but only one driver. The other driver had fled the scene. It was determined that the driver that fled the scene failed to pull over for a traffic stop prior to the collision. Further investigation led to the missing driver being located and arrested on December 15, 2025, by the Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) with the assistance of TBPS. As a result, 54-year-old Eric LINDSTROM is facing the following charges in relation to the September 01, 2025 collision: • Operation while prohibited • Flight from peace officer • Dangerous operation causing bodily harm • Fail to stop at scene of accident resulting in bodily harm • Obstruct / resist peace officer • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Breach of probation • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine) • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance (fentanyl) • Breach of Release Order During the Thunder Bay Police Service investigation $10,405.00 in cash was seized along with a 2.24g of fentanyl valued at roughly $560. During the December 15, 2025 arrest, TBPS officers seized an additional $5560.30 in cash along with 263 grams of suspected meth, 41 grams of suspected fentanyl and 11 grams of suspected cocaine leading to several additional charges being laid against Eric LINDSTROM including: • Operation while prohibited • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) for the Purpose of Trafficking • Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking • Possession of a Controlled Substance (Meth) for the Purpose of Trafficking • Weapons Dangerous (Pepper Spray) • Breach of Release Order • Fail to Comply with Probation The total street value of the drugs seized during the arrest is $48,170. The accused remains in custody with a future court date.
December 30, 2025
TB25050184 A visible police presence is expected to continue in the city’s north end. The Thunder Bay Police Service is continuing to investigate a sudden death on Regent Street which occurred on December 25, 2025. No further information is available at this time. Updates will be provided as they become available. Anyone with any information concerning the case is encouraged to come forward and speak with investigators by calling 807-684-1200. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 8477 or online at www.p3tips.com .