A Statement from Superintendent Michael Koppang, Officer in Charge of Manitoba RCMP Major Crime Services, was made today in Winnipeg about the investigation following the discovery of human remains in Portage la Prairie near Baker Street last month.

He says officers are continuing their efforts to hold the people who murdered Gerhard Reimer Wiebe accountable for their actions. 381 Alfred Avenue was reported to the Winnipeg Police Service to be on fire shortly after 6 a.m., the morning of June 20, and was subsequently demolished for safety reasons. He notes they believe it was arson and that this arson is linked to Reimer Wiebe’s murder. Further, he says they believe this home contains physical evidence related to the homicide. He notes officers are beginning the task of removing all of the debris from this residence today.

Koppang explains the debris will then be transported to a secure warehouse where RCMP forensic experts will sift through every fragment to look for evidence. He says they also have Forensic Identification Services officers and arson investigators at the residence overseeing the removal of the debris.

In addition, Koppang notes a number of officers with Major Crime Services as well as officers with Portage la Prairie and Steinbach detachments, are going door to door and speaking with residents requesting information on the arson, the homicide, and the victim.

RCMP says over 250 tips were received to date, and have propelled the investigation forward and they continue to ask the public for help.

Anyone who may have seen Reimer Wiebe around this area or may know something about his activities between May 15 and June 20, is asked to call the Major Crime Tip Line at 431-489-8551.

Since the discovery of the victim’s body on June 24, officers with Major Crime Services have been working non-stop to solve this case. Koppang says the investigation is progressing very rapidly and today marks another significant step in solving the homicide.