A 14-year-old girl who had been reported missing in the RM of Woodlands has been found deceased, according to the Manitoba RCMP.
In an update issued May 23, Manitoba RCMP said the female, identified as Shay Redhead, had originally been reported missing to Stonewall RCMP on May 21 at approximately 9:35 p.m.
Police said Redhead had been last seen earlier that day at approximately 3:30 p.m. on social media in a field near her family’s horses in the Lake Francis area along Government Road.
According to RCMP, Redhead’s father and brother returned to the residence later that evening and discovered she was not home. Police and family members searched the property and surrounding community but were unable to locate her.
RCMP had described the teen as being about five-foot-six with a thin build, shoulder-length blond hair with brown roots and brown eyes. She had last been seen wearing a grey shirt, a black zip sweater with large pink flowers, black leggings and pink Crocs.
In the May 23 update, RCMP confirmed the 14-year-old had been located deceased.
“Stonewall RCMP, with assistance of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, continue to investigate,” police stated.
In a statement to the newspaper, RCMP said there is no concern for public safety related to the incident. Police have not released additional details as the investigation continues.
A sacred fire has been lit in honour of Shay Redhead following her death.
According to a social media post shared by a family friend on Facebook, the sacred fire began Sunday evening and will continue burning until Shay is buried. The fire was initially lit at the family home in Lake Francis but has since been moved to 103 Poplarwood Dr. in Warren.
The post states the sacred fire serves as a beacon to help guide Shay’s spirit home and community members are welcome to stop by to sit with the family. Visitors are asked not to place anything into the fire other than tobacco provided by the family.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign has also been launched to support Shay’s family after a house fire early May 25 destroyed the home of her father, Dan Webster, and brother, Cree Redhead. Friends of the family say the fundraiser is intended to help with immediate needs and support the family as they grieve and begin rebuilding.
