The Trial of Jeremy Skibicki: An Online History of Testimony

Warning: This article contains graphic content that may disturb readers. Discretion is recommended.

Questions about serial killer identification, beheadings, garbage collection dates and DNA evidence were among internet searches made on a computer belonging to confessed serial killer Jeremy Skibicki when he killed four women, a court heard Tuesday.

The evidence, found on Skibicki's computer as a result of a search warrant, was presented Tuesday in Manitoba Crown Court.

Riley Johansson, a Winnipeg police crime intelligence specialist, testified about what was found on Skibicki's computer and in the Facebook messages of the confessed serial killer.

The 37-year-old is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the 2022 deaths of Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Mayran and an unidentified woman identified by local leaders as Mashkode Bijikiikwe, or Buffalo Woman.

He pleaded not guilty but confessed to the murder. However, his defense attorney argued that Skibicki should not be charged for the death caused by a mental disorder.

At the time of the March-May 2022 murders, Johansson said numerous Internet searches were conducted on Skibicki's computer related to questions about Winnipeg's waste management, when the trash was collected, as well as DNA evidence and whether bleach removes fingerprints.

The court also heard that the day after Myran was killed on May 4, a number of searches were carried out on Skibicki's computer, including a “serial killer reference” and “whether Muslims are beheading people”.

Johansson also testified about a photo of Skibicki holding a knife that was found on Contois's loaded computer at the time of his death. According to Johansson, Skibicki appeared to have a pink stain on his hand that may have been blood.

Facebook messages with his ex-wife were used as evidence in court

In Facebook posts on Skibicki's account, Johansson discussed his “sexual mood” and “perverse sexual perversion,” telling his ex-wife, “I've never felt sexually violated.”

The court was told that Skibicki had told his ex-wife on Facebook, days after Mairan's murder, on May 9: “I could be serving three life sentences”.

“I am deeply ashamed of what I have done in the past,” the message said. “I just went down a dark path because I stopped caring.”

The court is expected to hear additional testimony later in the afternoon regarding the Facebook messages Skibicki sent.

The Crown is expected to wrap up its case on Wednesday.

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