WINNIPEG — Manitoba RCMP have laid first-degree murder charges in what they call the “calculated and planned” killing of a man whose remains were found in the trunk of a burnt-out car last year.
Police say James Vernon Giesbrecht was killed last October and his remains were discovered in the vehicle on the outskirts of Brandon, west of Winnipeg, the same day.
Mounties say Giesbrecht, who was 37, was a proud father, brother and son who worked hard to support his loved ones.
RCMP Supt. Rob Lasson says the complex investigation involved multiple interviews, search warrants and pleas to the public.
On Monday, Mounties arrested 28-year-old Redstone Wombdiska and 36-year-old Joseph Lindsay and charged them with first-degree murder.
Forty-year-old Christopher Cutlip was charged with second-degree murder.
All three men were already behind bars when they were charged.
Mounties did not say what the motive could be, but Lasson said there is a high threshold to lay a first-degree murder charge.
"James knew his killers and he was lured to his death," Lasson said.
Giesbrecht was reported missing around two months after police believe he died.
His remains were not immediately identifiable when they were found in the vehicle and were confirmed through the national forensics lab in January.
Lasson said investigators learned the vehicle involved in the slaying had been stolen from Regina. While officers found the person responsible for the theft, they weren’t involved in the killing, Lasson said.
Investigators learned the vehicle had ended up in the possession of one of the men accused in Giesbrecht's death, Lasson added.
Earlier this year, Mounties released images of the vehicle and its licence plate.
Lasson said tips from the public were crucial.
“From a policing perspective, this is a strong result," he said. "First-degree murder charges are very serious and carry a heavy burden of proof."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2023.
The Canadian Press
