Police asking transient community, William Whyte neighbourhood for help with recent homicide

A community and family are grieving the loss of a woman and her unborn child after her remains were found disposed of in the William Whyte neighbourhood. 

Police are releasing more information, looking to learn more about the circumstances that resulted in the death of a 28-year-old woman, Jana Noella Williams.

"This was somebody that was loved by the community, by the members of her family," Constable Jay Murray says in a Monday press conference. 

Her community says was pregnant at the time of her murder. A vigil was held on Sunday night for Williams. 

"On the eve of #InternationalWomensDay, we gather as a community once again to mourn the murder of another one of our Indigenous sisters," MLA Nahanni Fontaine writes on Facebook. "Tonight was an act of love for Jana and her unborn child. Rest in power Jana Williams."

On Thursday evening at 5:59 p.m. in the area of Main Street and Alfred Avenue, officers were called about potential human remains found in the area. 

William's body was discovered that evening, the day before she would have turned 29.

"There are a lot of questions we have ourselves in this investigation," Constable Jay Murray says. He says the priority is to get William's family answers. 

The constable says they are describing it as her remains being disposed of. He is unable to share more information on why they are using this terminology or how the body was found but says in this instance it best describes the situation. 

Police believe Williams' body was brought to the William Whyte neighbourhood but do not believe she died there. He thinks there was an attempt to conceal William's body. He says "once the facts come forward" there will be an understanding of why he uses the word disposal.

Police say she died over the past two weeks and was a member of the transient community. They believe people may have seen her.

"I think there is an onus on all of us, anyone who knew Jana," Murray says. "You do not have to look much further than the vigil yesterday to see the pain that has been inflicted on the community, and on people that knew her. I think there is a duty for people that can help us with the investigation to come forward." 

The Homicide Unit is seeking the public's help to learn about Williams' activities during the two weeks before her death. They say they are hoping to speak with anyone she had recently spent time with.

There is currently no one in custody. Murray says this homicide is a priority for the WPS.

"While I feel there is always a concern for the safety of anyone living without shelter, we have not identified any elevated risk concerning this incident at this time. But it is worth noting that the investigation is still in the early stages," Murray says in an email to CHVN.

Those with information are being asked to call the Homicide Unit 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

A previous statement from the WPS said Williams was 29 years old. This has since been corrected.