Update- Winnipegosis RCMP search for missing snowmobiler

March 31, 2021
Lake Winnipegosis, Manitoba

News release

On March 31, 2021, at approximately 12:50 pm, searchers located a damaged snowmobile on Lake Winnipegosis, approximately 18 kilometres north of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation. It was determined to be the snowmobile Walter Thomas had been driving. A short time later, local search parties located the body of Walter Thomas a short distance from the snowmobile. It is believed he died from exposure.

The RCMP would like to thank all the community members as well as those who came from outside the community, for their assistance in the search.


On March 30, 2021, at approximately 3:10 pm, Winnipegosis RCMP received a report of stranded fishermen and a missing snowmobiler on Thompson Island on Lake Winnipegosis, Manitoba. It has been determined that sometime overnight from March 29-30, Walter Thomas, 27, of Easterville, Manitoba, had departed a remote cabin on Thompson Island on a snowmobile. When he left, he also had the keys to a bombardier, leaving two other males stranded at the cabin. One of the stranded males was able to make contact with a family member by radio, but communication is difficult. The stranded men have shelter, food, and supplies.

Police immediately checked Thomas's residence in Easterville, but he had not returned home. It is unknown how long Thomas has been gone and out in the elements, with poor weather conditions in the area. Police are very concerned for his well-being.

A Hercules plane from CFB Trenton searched overnight, but there was no sign of any tracks. The area searched encompassed the north side of Lake Winnipegosis from Birch Island to Dawson Bay. Local residents from Easterville and Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, along with local RCMP officers, are searching the area the morning of March 31.

CASARA is deploying the morning of March 31 to assist in the search for Thomas, and RCMP Search and Rescue officers are preparing to attend as well.

The two males remain at the remote cabin, but will be assisted in returning home today.

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Contact information

Tara Seel, Media Relations Officer
RCMP Media Relations
204-983-8497

www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mb
Twitter @rcmpmb | @GRCManitoba
http://www.facebook.com/rcmpmb | https://www.facebook.com/GRCManitoba

File number: 2021419278

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