Bodies found in car were there for some time, police say

Two men, whose bodies were found in a parked car in near a Winnipeg elementary school, had been there for days and likely died from a drug overdose, police say.

The identities of the men have not been released but police say their ages are 27 and 35.

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Investigators are still waiting on results from autopsies and the analysis of the car to comment more on the cause of death, but police are looking into the the possibility of a connection to fentanyl or carfentanil.

"We are absolutely looking into that possibility, absolutely. To ignore that possibility, in light of what we know, in light of the discussions in our community, it would be unheard of for us to think otherwise," said Const. Jason Michalyshen.

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Shelley Marshall, a public health nurse with Street Connections, said there is an element of uncertainty involved in using street drugs that can prove fatal in some cases.

"You actually don't know what you're getting, so people have to be really careful if they're using a new source," Marshall said. "A lot of the overdoses that I am aware of, people didn't really know what they were using."

While the investigation is in the early stage, there was evidence of drugs and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, he said.

"Based on our preliminary investigation, this appears to be drug-related," Michalyshen said, adding he does not know exactly how long the men had been in the vehicle, but certainly it was "days."

"Other than that, that's about as descriptive as I can get."

Police also want to make it clear the deaths do not appear to suggest there is any danger to the public. Based on the preliminary investigation, there is no evidence of violence or foul play, Michalyshen said.

Emergency workers were called to the scene on College Avenue near Machray elementary school at 10:35 a.m. Monday after a member of the public reported seeing the bodies in a car.

Investigators dusted the car for fingerprints then covered the windows with black garbage bags and duct tape before the car was towed away.

Winnipeg police give an update on the discovery of two bodies in a parked car on College Avenue.

8 years ago

Duration 1:27

Winnipeg police say a 27 year old man and a 35 year old man have been identified as the bodies found in a car on College Avenue yesterday morning. Constable Jason Michalyshen says autopsies are still being done to determine the cause of death along with tests on the car itself.