The human remains found five miles north of Ste. Anne in late October have been positively identified as those of Thelma Krull, a 57-year-old grandmother who went missing while on a walk in Winnipeg's East Kildonan neighbourhood over three years ago.

On October 27th a hunter found what he thought was a human skull in a wooded area near the intersection of Highway 12 and Road 52N. Steinbach RCMP launched an investigation that would eventually include RCMP Forensic Services, the Major Crimes Unit, and Winnipeg Police Service (WPS).

Thelma Krull (Submitted: Winnipeg Police Service)WPS released an update Wednesday afternoon saying Krull had been identified with DNA testing. WPS says Krull was last seen on Jully 11, 2015 near Valley Gardens in the East Kildonan Area. Police previously said they believed Krull was assaulted and forcibly removed from the area. They are now saying, given the location of her remains, the suspect had access to a vehicle and likely has some kind of connection to the area north of Ste. Anne.

"I think it's a location where hunters will go," WPS Sergeant Wes Rommel said. "We think the location is very significant and in terms of a connection to the suspect, that is a possibility. I think it's a significant piece of the investigation and we want the public to think about how this individual may be familiar with that area and that specific location."

Rommel says they are specifically asking people who live in the RM of Tache to report anything they may recall from the summer of 2015 that was suspicious and are reiterating their call for tips, no matter how small it seems.

"We've been waiting for a break in the investigation after gathering tips and information over the last three and a half years," Rommel said. "Now when you find where she's been placed, it's another link to the suspect. It's not random, it's that location for a reason, and now it's a matter of figuring out what that is."

Rommel says while the suspect is still out there, he hopes this discovery can bring some form of closure to Thelma's family as police continue to search.

Residents with tips and information can call the WPS Homicide Unit at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

WPS also thanks the Steinbach RCMP Detachment for their assistance in this investigation.

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Hunter Finds Human Skull
Police Continue To Investigate Mysterious Human Remains North of Ste. Anne