The death of a homeless woman who suffered severe burns this summer is being treated as a homicide, and police are asking the public if they know of any similar attacks.
Melissa Cook, 41, died in hospital on Aug. 20 after suffering the burns, likely between late June and early July. The Winnipeg Police Service’s major crimes unit is investigating her death as a homicide.
The WPS became involved on Aug. 25 after being notified by the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office that Cook’s death had been ruled a homicide. Police did not release any information about the incident until this morning.
Melissa Cook (Police / Handout)
Cook was from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, near the Swan River area, and had been living in Winnipeg since April, police said.
Police say their investigation shows that Cook, an Indigenous woman, was homeless while living in Winnipeg and might have stayed at encampments. She had also spent time at Siloam Mission and in the South Point Douglas area.
After suffering the burns, Cook notified a shelter about her injuries in early July and was transported to a hospital, where she stayed until she died.
Police are asking anyone who knew Cook, knew about her injuries or knows of any similar attacks to call the major crimes unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).
An Indigenous woman, Cook was described as 5-3 in height with a medium build, brown eyes and brown hair, the WPS said.
The WPS took the unusual step of prefacing this morning’s news release with what is known as a “trigger warning.”
“This media release contains details that may be disturbing to members of the public, particularly those families directly impacted by matters involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, and Gender Diverse people,” the news release states. “If you require immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649, which is a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line providing support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.”
