(Winnipeg) RCMP are appealing to the public for information about the deaths of four Indian nationals whose bodies were found frozen in Manitoba near the border with the United States last week.
Posted at 5:16 p.m.
Officials in Ottawa say they have confirmed the identities of the four Indian nationals.
The Indian High Commission issued a notice stating that the four people who died were Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, a 39-year-old man, Vaishaliben Jagdishkumar Patel, a 37-year-old woman, Vihangi Jagdishkumar Patel, an 11-year-old girl, and Dharmik Jagdishkumar Patel, a three-year-old boy.
Investigators believe the four members of one family were attempting to cross the border on foot on January 19 in harsh winter conditions and died of hypothermia.
The family, which includes mother, father and their two children, arrived in Toronto on Jan. 12, 2022, and this was their first point of entry, RCMP Chief Superintendent Rob Hill said.
Mr Hill said the family then traveled to Manitoba, but he could not confirm when they would arrive. Police believe the Patel family were dropped off near the border around January 18 and attempted to cross on foot.
The RCMP is asking anyone with information regarding the family’s time in Canada to come forward. This could include people who may have interacted with them at restaurants, gas stations or hotels.
Relatives of the family have been notified, the statement from the Indian High Commission said.
“The Consulate General of India in Toronto is in contact with the family and is providing all consular support. The High Commission extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victims. »
The statement said a special team, led by a senior consular officer from the Consulate General of India, is in Manitoba to assist with investigations on the Canadian side and to provide services to victims.
Manitoba RCMP found the four bodies near Emerson, Manitoba after US Border Patrol agents informed them they had arrested a group of Indian nationals on the US side.
One of the individuals was found with a backpack full of baby items. He told investigators he was carrying the backpack of a group that split from his.
Investigators said they believe the deaths were linked to human trafficking.
Steve Shand of Deltona, Florida is facing human trafficking charges. He was released on Monday.
Police in the western state of Gujarat in India have started investigating the deaths of the four Indian migrants.
Gujarat Police Chief Executive Ashish Bhatia says investigators are trying to determine if there was a travel agent in India who helped the group.