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

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TB25037594

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The Thunder Bay Police Service is urging the public to ensure safe usage of off-road vehicles and to follow applicable legislation and bylaws for their use. Recently, Thunder Bay Police Service officers responded to an incident in a rural area of the city where two children under the age of 16 were operating all-terrain vehicles on a roadway and were involved in a collision. Fortunately, the incident did not result in serious injuries. The parent was served with provincial offence notices for allowing a motor vehicle to be operated on a highway with no insurance, and for permitting unlicensed persons to drive a vehicle. Provincial legislation requires off-road vehicles to be registered, having a displayed licence plate, and be insured. Drivers and passengers must wear an approved motorcycle helmet. To be used for on-road riding, drivers must be at least 16 years old and have at least a valid G2 or M2 licence. For off-road riding, drivers must be at least 12 years old or directly supervised by an adult. Municipalities have different rules for the use off-road vehicles. The City of Thunder Bay does not permit off-road vehicles to be used on roadways. Road safety is a shared responsibility.