20-year-old homicide victim remembered as beloved staff member for Winnipeg non-profit

Twenty-year-old Mackaylah Gerard-Roussin has been identified as the victim of Saturday's homicide in Steinbach, Manitoba.

A Winnipeg non-profit drop-in centre for children and youth, Rossbrook House, shared condolences on Facebook after learning of Gerard-Roussin's passing.

"We will always remember her as outgoing, smiling, and singing at our Christmas parties," the social media post says.

Gerard-Roussin was a long-time participant of Rossbrook House's programs. Last year, she graduated from their Rising Sun alternative high school, and went on to work for Rossbrook as a staff member.

Gerard-Roussin was last seen in Steinbach on Thursday, according to social media posts. On Saturday afternoon, RCMP in Steinbach responded to a call about a homicide at a home on Creekside Drive in the southeastern Manitoba city, Mounties said in a news release Monday afternoon.

When officers arrived, the suspect, Josh Benoit, and Gerard-Roussin weren't there. 

Further investigation led officers to believe Benoit had taken off in his vehicle with her body inside, the release said.

Officers from several detachments, including Steinbach, Stonewall, Sprague and Headingley, plus officers from RCMP traffic services, started an intensive search for the man.

The Winnipeg Police Service also assisted since the man lives in the capital, Mounties said.

Benoit was arrested and his vehicle caught on fire, police said. RCMP believe he lit the car on fire when he was pulled over, spokesperson Robert Cyrenne said in an email.

Once that fire was put out, the vehicle was searched — but Gerard-Roussin's body wasn't there.

Police later got information that directed them to a remote ATV trail in a rural area south of the community of Woodridge. There, they found Gerard-Roussin's body.

Police say that Benoit and Gerard-Roussin knew each other.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. Grand Chief Garrison Settee issued a statement to share condolences to Gerard-Roussin's loved ones.

"We need to ensure that our women are safe and free from violence. It is a basic human right to live without fear of violence, threats, and abuse," the statement reads.

"There is more work to be done, and we cannot accept the loss of another daughter, sister, mother, or loved one to gender-based violence."

On Sunday, Benoit was charged with first-degree murder in her death.

Benoit was remanded into custody and was scheduled to appear in provincial court in Winnipeg on Monday, RCMP said.

Gerard-Roussin's family is asking for privacy at this time, and are holding a private family fire, with details of a public vigil to come.

Support is available for families and communities impacted by gender-based violence. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Liaison Unit can be reached at 1-800-442-0488.