Andrea Giesbrecht trial: DNA links 6 infants found in locker to accused

The remains of six infants found in a Winnipeg U-Haul storage locker have been linked to DNA found in the home of Andrea Giesbrecht, who is on trial accused of six counts of concealing bodies, according to testimony in court today.

Forensic biologist Christine Crossman testified that she compared DNA from the infants to a sample collected from a soiled sanitary napkin presumed to contain Giesbrecht's DNA.

The napkin was found by police inside the master bedroom closet in Giesbrecht's home. Crossman testified the biological father of the infants was Jeremy Giesbrecht, the accused's husband.

According to the Crown, Giesbrecht's medical records show she has had 10 therapeutic abortions. The number of pregnancy terminations was confirmed with Giesbrecht's defence lawyer, Greg Brodsky​.

Earlier on Wednesday, Det. Sgt Kerri White of the Winnipeg Police Service child abuse unit testified investigators combed Giesbrecht's backyard for possible grave sites after the infant remains were found in the storage locker in 2014.

White, who was assigned to conduct the arrest of Giesbrecht, told court no graves were discovered, but investigators did seize several items from Giesbrecht's home on Blechner Drive, including a copy of her birth certificate, a receipt book, a blue book that appeared to be a diary, a 1987 yearbook from Jefferson Junior High School and a will.

Det. Sgt Kelly McCartney told court about searching the home for evidence of pregnancies, babies or anything related to the charges.

The trial began Monday with court hearing the remains were discovered on Oct. 20, 2014, inside a storage locker rented by Giesbrecht under her maiden name, Naworynski. They were in various states of decomposition, wrapped in kitchen-style garbage bags, placed in duffel bags and stored in large household containers and pails.

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Police were called by U-Haul employees who were conducting an inventory on the contents because rental payments had not been made. The employees testified Monday about a strong "rotting smell" inside the locker.​

On Tuesday, a police officer in charge of collecting exhibits from the scene testified about finding body parts along with toys, a plastic necklace and clothing inside the containers and bags.

Court has also heard that experts were able determine that of the remains found, five were boys and one was a girl.

The judge-only trial is being heard by provincial court Judge Murray Thompson at the Winnipeg courthouse.

Defence lawyer Brodsky​ has said the trial is likely to be lengthy and the outcome will hinge on whether the infants were born alive.

Check out our live blog below for updates from the CBC's Caroline Barghout, who is covering the trial. Warning: Some details may be graphic.