Manitoba·MMIW

Simone Sanderson's family plans vigil for 23-year-old killed in North End

​More than two years have passed since 23-year-old Simone Sanderson was killed, and still her family is waiting for answers about what happened to her.

Homicide victim’s family frustrated with police investigation into the death of young mom

Simone Sanderson's family plans vigil for 23-year-old killed in North End

10 years ago
Duration 1:51
More than two years have passed since 23-year-old Simone Sanderson was killed, and still her family is waiting for answers about what happened to her.

More than two years have passed since 23-year-old Simone Sanderson was killed, and still her family is waiting for answers about what happened to her.

The woman was found dead near a lot at the corner of Burrows Avenue and Main Street in September 2012.

Days later, Winnipeg police declared her death a homicide. Since then, they've released few details about what happened to her.
The body of 23-year-old Simone Sanderson was found under a piece of cardboard on Sept. 2, 2012 in an empty lot at the corner of Burrows Avenue and Main Street in Winnipeg. She was last seen on Aug. 26. (Family photo)

"I have every right to know … who murdered her," said her grandmother, Bettyann Sanderson.

Bettyann said she's frustrated with the investigation into Simone's death – and is particularly worried police haven't followed up on a lead from 2013.

She said her family gave officers a license plate of a car that Simone was last seen getting into.

"What I'm really curious about is that license plate number – that car – that man," said Bettyann. "I want police to find out who's this car that picked Simone up? Can you find that out? Can you please tell me who it is?"

Her younger sister Ashley said Simone was in a bad spot before she was killed.
Simone Sanderson was 23 when she was killed. Her body was found in a lot in Winnipeg's North End in 2012. (Family photo)

"You could tell she was struggling," Ashley said.

She said her sister was involved with drugs and drinking but she wasn't involved in the sex trade, as police have reported previously.

"I know she wasn't selling herself," said Ashley. "She was a good person. She was caring … she was a good friend and she was a good mom."

Ashley said she hopes the memorial walk drums up clues into her sister's killing.

"I just want whoever's out there, hopefully they see it, and just to remind them how much people loved Simone, and they should come forward and give us some closure," said Ashley. "We want justice."

The walk is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. at the corner of Burrows and Main. 


If you have any information on Simone Sanderson's case or any other unsolved cases involving missing or murdered indigenous women, email our team at [email protected].