Three Arrested in Melinda Lynxleg Murder, Family Seeks Justice

UPDATE: Three men have been arrested and charged in the murder of Melinda Lynxleg, a 40-year-old woman from the Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve. The Manitoba RCMP confirmed the urgent development, bringing a sense of relief to Lynxleg’s family, who say they can “finally breathe again knowing justice is served.”

The arrests occurred between October 14 and 16, 2023, with Mounties taking into custody Kirk Kenneth Allarie, 42, Myles Malcom Allarie, 38, and Billy Jay Lynxleg, 46, all of whom were known to the victim. Each man faces charges of second-degree murder and offering an indignity to human remains. All three have been remanded in custody and are set to appear in court at a future date.

Lynxleg was reported missing on April 16, 2020, after failing to return home. Her body was discovered on an abandoned property in San Clara in June 2023. Following the press conference on Monday, Sergeant Morgan Page of the Manitoba RCMP revealed that the investigation involved over 150 statements and thousands of hours of work from more than 60 officers, a significant commitment compared to the usual 10 to 15 officers on similar cases.

The family expressed their grief and relief in a statement shared during the press conference. “While this development brings a sense of relief, it also reopens the deep pain and emotion we have carried since her tragic death more than five years ago,” they said. Lynxleg, described as a strong advocate for her six children, is remembered fondly by her family.

Allison Lynxleg, Melinda’s sister, emphasized, “My sister Melinda did not deserve what happened to her. She was a human being, a mother, a daughter, and my sister, who deserved to live.”

In light of the ongoing investigation, authorities have stated they will not release further details about Lynxleg’s death but continue to collect information. “There is further investigation, even based off of what we did last week,” Page confirmed.

The arrests come as Manitoba prepares to launch Canada’s first-ever Red Dress Alert system, designed to alert the public when an Indigenous woman or girl goes missing. This system is seen as crucial for addressing the vulnerabilities faced by Indigenous women and girls, as highlighted by Sandra DeLaronde of the Indigenous advisory committee working on the initiative.

Lynxleg’s mother, Sharon, expressed gratitude for the RCMP’s relentless pursuit of justice, stating, “These arrests will not bring Melinda back, but it goes a long way towards helping us heal.”

As the community processes this significant update, Chief Barry McKay of the Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve offered tobacco, a sacred medicine, to the RCMP in appreciation for their hard work.

Supt. Rob Lasson reiterated the commitment of the Manitoba RCMP to continue investigating unsolved homicides, stating, “This is another example of the RCMP’s commitment.”

The situation remains fluid as authorities continue their investigation, and the community mourns the loss of a beloved member. As the family stated, “She will always be loved, remembered, and honoured, and we will forever say her name.”