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

Crime against elders investigation leads to charges

February 27, 2026
TB26005390 A Thunder Bay resident is facing a manslaughter charge following a Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) Investigation. On February 10, 2026, TBPS’ Crime Against Elders officer received information about an assault that took place on February 4, 2026, at an assisted living facility. A victim was transported to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre on February 5, 2026. On February 18, 2026, the victim, an 81-year-old from Thunder Bay, died in hospital. As a result of the investigation, a 58-year-old Thunder Bay resident has been charged with Manslaughter. The accused has been released with an undertaking and a future court date.

Investigation into multi-vehicle collision leads to charges

February 19, 2026
TB26006283 A multi-vehicle collision in Thunder Bay has led to charges. Officers with the Thunder Bay Police Service Primary Response Unit were on patrol in the Arthur Street area on February 16, 2026, when they observed a pickup truck driving at over 100 kilometres per hour in a residential area. Officers observed the vehicle driving at a high rate of speed on the sidewalk along Empire Avenue, striking at least eight vehicles, multiple fences, trees, shrubs, and a fire hydrant. The vehicle came to a stop after colliding with a snowbank and a sign. The Traffic Unit became involved in the ongoing investigation. As a result of the investigation, 18-year-old Michael WOODS JR, is facing the following charges under the Highway Traffic Act, Cannabis Control Act, and Criminal Code of Canada: • Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs • Dangerous operation • Flight from peace officer • Drive motor vehicle – perform stunt • Disobey stop sign – fail to stop (three counts) • Fail to surrender insurance card • Driver fail to surrender licence • Fail to surrender permit for motor vehicle • Person under 19 years – possess cannabis • Fail to notify change of address • Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available • Class G1 license holder – unaccompanied by qualified driver The accused has been released from custody with a future court date.

February 2026

February 18, 2026
Online Reporting: freeing officers to focus on urgent incidents Since launching a new online reporting service last February, the Thunder Bay Police Service has become a national leader in the use of the technology. The reporting platform allows more types of non-emergency incidents to be reported online from anywhere, while making it easier for users to upload photos or videos as evidence. The system redirects thousands of calls away from frontline response, freeing officers to focus on urgent incidents. 677 online reports were submitted in January, 2026. “This is a good example of one of the many ways we enhance efficiency,” noted Chief Darcy Fleury. “The community has access to a convenient reporting tool, and officers can focus on priority responses.” People can use the online portal to report theft, vandalism, fraud, traffic violations, and missing identification. The platform also allows people to have links to specific report types sent directly to them by text message. Users receive a confirmation once the report has been submitted and can choose to receive updates on the status of their report. Daniyar Akhmedjanov, Co-founder of Rubicon - the online reporting platform – was recently in Thunder Bay to see how our team members have grown the system. “TBPS has built one of the most developed virtual/alternate response operations in the country – so we came to learn from the best (and bring those lessons back to other agencies),” he said.