Portage la Prairie couple believed to be victims of targeted double homicide: Manitoba RCMP
42-year-old man found dead with 37-year-old woman was active in drug trade, police say
The man and woman found dead inside a home in Portage la Prairie are believed to be victims of a targeted double homicide, RCMP say.
The 42-year-old man and 37-year-old woman were in a relationship, Mounties said in an updated news release on Tuesday.
The two were found dead inside a home on Oak Bay in the southern Manitoba city, about 80 kilometres west of Winnipeg, around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, RCMP said in a news release Monday.
Sgt. Paul Manaigre, media relations officer with the RCMP, said Tuesday afternoon that the 42-year-old man had a criminal history and was "quite active" in the drug trade.
Manaigre said the major crimes unit is focusing its investigation on that.
"We understand there was rumours in the community of a possible murder-suicide," he said, but it was a double homicide.
"We don't believe this is to be random.… The male for sure would have been targeted."
Manaigre said there are no concerns for public safety.
The victims were not identified in the news release.
Portage la Prairie Mounties and the RCMP major crimes and forensic units continue to investigate.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
With files from Rosanna Hempel