EARLY LIFE:
Tiffany Maureen Skye was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on May 8, 1992 to parents Josephine Skye and Morris Bushie. A member of the Bloodvein First Nation, she grew up in a large family, which consisted of three sisters, two brothers, three step-brothers and two foster parents.
Tiffany is described as having been very family-oriented. She loved to spend time with those close to her, especially her younger sister, and many who knew her referred to her by her nickname, “Olive”. Outgoing and with a sense of humour, she was known for frequently joking around and would often get lost in a topic of conversation once someone got her talking. In her free time, she liked to go on walks, and her dream in life was to become a social worker.
She was just 19 years old at the time of her disappearance and death.
DISAPPEARANCE & DEATH:
Tiffany was last seen on August 8, 2011. Reports vary as to the location, but it’s believed she had been in the area of the Forks or in downtown Winnipeg during the afternoon hours or early evening.
At 2:30pm on August 13, 2011, Selkirk RCMP were alerted to a body in the Red River. The exact location is near the St. Andrews Lock and Dam in Lockport, Manitoba, approximately 20km north of Winnipeg. The body was later identified as that of Tiffany Skye.
INVESTIGATION:
Very little has been publicly shared regarding the investigation into Tiffany’s death, and the case overall has received little press and media coverage.
On August 16, 2011, the RCMP announced that an autopsy had been performed on Tiffany’s body. However, they didn’t release a cause of death. Some sources state that one couldn’t be determined.
According to the RCMP, Tiffany’s death appears criminal in nature. In 2016, it was added to the cases currently being investigated by Project Devote, a joint task force between the Winnipeg Police Service and the RCMP that was created in 2012. It’s tasked with investigating unsolved homicides and missing persons cases, a large portion of which pertain to Indigenous people.
Tiffany’s family has asked the public to come forward with any information that could lead to a resolution in the case.
THEORIES:
1) There is only one theory in the case, which is Tiffany’s death is the result of foul play, likely murder. This is due to the fact her body was found so far from where she was last known to be, as well as the location itself being a body of water. There have been questions raised as to how she ended up in the Red River, and why. Given how tight-lipped the RCMP have been regarding the investigation, it’s unknown if they have answered these questions or if they have any persons of interest in the case.
AFTERMATH:
Tiffany’s family has shared that one of the things they miss most about her is her bright smile.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Those with information regarding the case are asked to contact the RCMP serious crimes tip line at 204-984-6447 or the Winnipeg Police Service at 204-986-6222.
Image Credit: CBC
Stories of the Unsolved 