Police are asking the public for their help after two bodies were discovered and one serious assault occurred on the same day, believing all three incidents are connected.

Authorities are connecting three serious incidents and trying to understand the motive behind them.

"What occurred yesterday was a tragedy," RCMP Corporal Julie Courchaine says in a Thursday press conference, offering her condolences. 

On Wednesday at around 12:40 p.m., RCMP was asked by a woman's acquaintance to perform a wellness check at a home in New Bothwell. When they arrived, they found a 73-year-old woman, dead.

"An adult male, who was known to the victim, was identified as a potential suspect and officers began efforts to locate him for further questioning."

Not long afterwards at around 1:30 p.m. the RCMP got information that the suspect may have been in Winnipeg, contacting the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS). An hour later police learnt the suspect might be in the Leila Avenue and McPhillips Street area and began going to the area. While on route, they received a serious call.

"They received a report of a stabbing at the Seven Oaks Hospital. Officers quickly responded and located an adult female in her 60s who had been seriously injured and was receiving emergency personal first aid," WPS Constable Dani McKinnon.

Winnipeg police immediately arrested the man after the assault, taking him into custody.  He is now undergoing a medical assessment. 

She remains in serious condition at a hospital. Police say this woman and the suspect are known to each other, saying Winnipeg Regional Health Authority can answer how they are known to each other. There will be a 2 p.m. press conference at Seven Oaks Hospital regarding this.

"It is very unexpected considering the hospital is a safe haven. We are still unfolding the motive and the potential reason this all did occur."

Later that evening, RCMP officers investigating the New Bothwell homicide attended 300 block of Toronto Street, checking on the wellbeing of other potential victims. Inside they found a man in his 70s, dead. Believing it is a homicide, the WPS is now taking over. Police say the suspect and the man are known to each other, but police are not confirming how.

McKinnon says there are no outstanding wellness checks.

"Really, this is just the tip of the iceberg. It is not often that we have three massive events that are related, there is a lot to piece together at this time.

No charges have been laid. Police are asking the public for their help, asking those with information to call the Winnipeg Police Service Homicide Unit at 204-986-6508, Manitoba RCMP’s Major Crime Services Tip Line at 431-489-8105 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786 TIPS (8477).

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