Man in custody after 5 people, including 3 children, were found dead in southern Manitoba

WARNING: This story contains disturbing details.

Five people, including three children, were found dead in three incidents in southern Manitoba early Sunday morning, RCMP said.

A 29-year-old man was arrested. No charges have yet been filed, Insp. RCMP Major Crime Services Officer Tim Arsenault said at a press conference Sunday afternoon at RCMP headquarters in Winnipeg.

“As a parent, I can't imagine how great your loss is,” Arsenault said. “The community of Carman and the surrounding areas will also be saddened as they have lost one of their youngest residents in such a tragic way.”

RCMP say the deaths occurred at three different locations – Highway 3 between Carman and Winkler, Highway 248 north of Provincial Road 424 and at a home in Carman, Man., about 75 km southwest of Winnipeg.

The approximate locations where 5 people were found dead on Sunday are marked with red dots. One was on Highway 3 between Carman and Winkler. The other was on Highway 248 north of Provincial Road 242, east of St. Eustatius. The third was the house in Karman. (CBC Graphics)

Carman RCMP found the woman's body in a highway ditch at 7:30 a.m. on Highway 3, police said.

At 10 a.m., Headingley RCMP responded to a vehicle on fire on Highway 248. A witness pulled three children from the burning car before RCMP arrived. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police arrested the man there. Arsenault said there were no problems with the arrest.

A section of Highway 248 near St. Eustatius north of State Route 424 was closed Sunday as emergency crews responded to the scene. (Karen Pauls/CBC)

The investigation then led officers to a residence in Carman where another woman's body was located.

RCMP Major Crimes Services, Forensic Identification Services, the Collision Reconstruction Unit and officers from the Stonewall, Headingley and Carman detachments are investigating the death, Arsenault said.

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Manitoba 511 reports that Highway 248 was closed in both directions from Interchange 65N to Main Street in St. Eustache at 11 a.m. as officers worked the road.

5 from Carman District: RCMP

Police did not release the suspect's name or other details, but Arsenault said RCMP believe he and the victims knew each other.

Arsenault said police believe all those found dead are from the Karman district.

“It's horrible. I can't believe it,” said Carman Mayor Brent Owen.

“It's mind-boggling to realize that something like this could happen in this community.”

Arsenault said the man in custody is the only suspect and does not pose a threat to public safety.

Support is available for anyone affected by these reports. You can speak with a mental health professional through Wellness Together Canada by calling 1-866-585-0445 or texting WELLNESS to 686868 for youth or 741741 for adults. It's free and confidential.