Police's unsuccessful efforts to identify Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe detailed in Winnipeg serial killer trial

In mid-March 2022, a young Indigenous woman stood outside Winnipeg's Salvation Army and spoke with a man who invited her back to his home.

Wearing a reversible Baby Phat branded jacket and a cloth face mask, she would later board a bus with the man and head to his apartment in the North Kildonan neighbourhood.

The woman was the first victim of serial killer Jeremy Skibicki.

In the two years since her slaying, police have been unable to identify her or find her remains.

To Indigenous community members, police and the court system, she has become known as Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, a name that was gifted to her by a group of Indigenous grandmothers.

"Our community has adopted her. We wanted her to have a name and we wanted her to belong to a community," said Thelma Morrisseau, who was part of the naming ceremony.

"She needs to be honoured and respected."

Police released a few updates on their endeavours to identify Buffalo Woman. However, details of their exhaustive efforts were revealed this month during Skibicki's trial, which is set to continue in June.

Skibicki, 37, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder for the slayings of Buffalo Woman and three others — Morgan Harris, 39; Marcedes Myran, 26; and Rebecca Contois, 24.

His lawyers have said he killed the four Indigenous women but should be found not criminally responsible due to mental illness. 

Crown prosecutors say the killings were racially motivated and Skibicki preyed on the vulnerable women at homeless shelters.

The court heard he assaulted the women, strangled or drowned them and disposed of their bodies in garbage bins. Myran and Contois were dismembered.

On the first day of the trial, prosecutor Renee Lagimodiere said Skibicki forcibly confined Buffalo Woman "because he thought she was taking some of his things," before he choked her and drowned her in his bathtub.

When police announced in December 2022 that Skibicki had been charged with killing the unknown woman, they were unable to provide many details about her.