This media release contains details that may be disturbing to members of the public, particularly those families directly impacted by matters involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, and Gender Diverse people.
If you require immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649, which is a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line providing support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
The Winnipeg Police Service’s Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate the death of Melissa Cook on August 20, 2022 which was deemed a homicide.
Investigators have been working on learning more about Melissa and her activities over the summer of 2022 and hope to speak with anyone who knew Melissa, knew about her injuries or anyone who may have been victimized similarly.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Major Crimes Investigators at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).
As previously released:
Members of the Major Crimes Unit are investigating the homicide of Melissa Cook, a 41-year-old who passed away in hospital on August 20, 2022, after suffering severe burns to her body.
Melissa was an Indigenous woman from the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation (near the Swan River area) and had been living in Winnipeg since April. She was 5’3” in height with a medium build, brown eyes, and brown hair.
The Winnipeg Police Service became involved in the investigation into Melissa’s injuries on August 25 after being notified by Chief Medical Examiner’s Office that her death had been ruled a homicide.
Based on the investigation to date, detectives believe the following:
- Melissa was unhoused while in Winnipeg and may have resided in encampments. She had also spent time at Siloam Mission and in the South Point Douglas area.
- She likely sustained her burns between late June and early July.
- In early July, she notified a shelter about her injuries and was transported to a hospital, where she remained until her passing.
Those with information that may assist investigators are asked to call the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).