GoFundMe For KI Fire Victims
#LSN_News
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO - May 7, 2019 (LSN) – – Further details have emerged regarding the tragedy in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation. Five lives were lost in a house fire early Thursday morning, including those of four children. The community has now released the names of the victims involved.
The deceased parent, and longtime foster parent, Geraldine Chapman, lost her daughter in the fire, Shyra Shadara Taylor Bella Chapman age six, as well as three of her foster children, Angel Kenisha Mckay aged 12, Karl Jovon Cutfeet aged nine and Hailey Ocean Jenna Chapman aged seven. Chief Donny Morris stated, “our community is grief stricken and are doing our best to provide support to the family and all affected by this horrific tragedy.” Another daughter Thyra Chapman, age 19, was away accompanying another community member on a medical trip.
Chief Morris conveyed the community’s recognition that “Geraldine raised her adopted children as her very own with the mutual consent of the three families involved and that the community of Kitchinuhmaykoosib Inninuwug recognized these children as her own. It is important to understand, however, that this devasting tragedy has directly impacted four families and, as a result, extends throughout the community as a whole.”
The Forensic unit has completed their investigation but are still holding the scene until the completion of the postmortem. Yesterday evening the remains of the deceased were removed from the scene and transported to Toronto for postmortem examinations. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
The attached photo is of the family affected by the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation
fire on the morning of May 2nd. Top row, left to right: Geraldine (mother), Angel (age 12), Karl
(age nine), Thyra (surviving, age 19). Bottom row, left to right: Hailey (age seven),
Shyra (age six).
A GoFundMe campaign has been started at: https://www.gofundme.com/tragic-fire-in-ki.
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OPP Media Release May 6, 2019
On May 5, 2019, five bodies were located and recovered from a home that was destroyed as a result of a residential fire on Macheetao Road in the community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation on May 2, 2019.
The scene was processed by members of the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM), Ontario Forensic Pathology Services - Forensic Anthropology (OFPS) and with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Forensic Identification Services (FIS). The deceased remains have been flown out of the community to the OFPS in Toronto for post mortem examinations and to determine the victims' identification.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing by members of the OPP North West Regional Crime Unit and OPP FIS under the direction of Detective Inspector Pete Liptrott of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) in cooperation with members from the OFMEM, OFPS - Forensic Anthropology, and the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario.
Further information will be released as it becomes available.
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