Manitoba man charged with 1st-degree murder in deaths of partner, 3 children and partner's relative
CBC
WARNING: This story contains details involving the deaths of children.
A Manitoba man has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his 30-year-old partner, their three young children and a relative of his partner, whose bodies were all found in various locations in southern Manitoba on Sunday.
Ryan Howard Manoakeesick, 29, of Carman, Man., was identified by RCMP as the man accused in the deaths at a news conference on Monday afternoon.
The deceased included his six-year-old daughter, four-year-old son and 2½-month-old daughter, and a 17-year-old relative of his common-law partner, Insp. Tim Arseneault said.
"Young, innocent lives were senselessly taken yesterday, and we grieve with all Manitobans," Arseneault said. "Our thoughts are also with the community of Carman, who are mourning the loss of an entire family."
WATCH | Insp. Tim Arseneault explains timeline of the RCMP's response to the deaths:
All five victims and the accused lived together in the community of Carman, 75 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg. Autopsies started Monday and will continue on Tuesday, Arseneault said.
Nancy Clearwater identified the 30-year-old woman killed as her daughter, Amanda Clearwater.
The children killed were her grandkids, six-year-old Bethany, four-year-old Jayven and 2½-month-old Isabella Manoakeesick. Clearwater identified the 17-year-old girl killed as her niece, Myah Gratton.
"I'm numb. I don't know what to feel," Clearwater told CBC News. "She loved those kids. She loved those kids more than anything in the world.
"She was a damn good mom."
Neighbour Randy McFarlane said the family had been renting their house in Carman for at least a year, and he often heard Clearwater's kids outside playing.
Children's toys and a bike could be seen lying in the backyard of the home on Monday as forensic crews went in and out of the small bungalow.
Manoakeesick has a history of addiction and mental health issues, and was previously convicted of smashing an electronic display at a Winnipeg Tim Horton's while on methamphetamine, court records reveal.
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