“Candace House truly cares and it made us believe that good people do exist.
We are truly grateful we had a place like this to go during the
horrific trial and for their ongoing support, care, and love.“
— Stephanie Contois, sister of Rebecca Contois
Twenty-four-year-old Rebecca was a kind-hearted person with beautiful, long dark hair and a deep love for her family, especially her nieces and nephews. She found joy in dancing, drawing, and nature walks and loved going on long drives with her mom and dad. Rebecca was always ready for good food, laughter and making jokes; her favourite song, “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd, always lifted her spirits.
In May of 2022, part of Rebecca’s remains were found in a garbage bin. A search was later conducted at Brady Landfill, where the remainder of her body was located.
“I remember the police coming to our door and asking if this was the home of the Contois family. We all sat down and they told us that Rebecca was deceased... We found out the next day through a news article that she had been dismembered. We asked a family friend to get the story taken down because other family members didn’t know yet. Losing Rebecca was the worst, most shocking, and agonizing pain we could have ever imagined.” — Stephanie Contois
In the months that followed, Candace House would become a steady support for the Contois family. Each update meeting, the family would gather at Candace House with Crown attorneys and staff from various community organizations. Through close collaboration with our partners, we worked together to support the Contois family in every way possible.
“We were very anxious every time the Crown attorneys wanted to talk to us, not knowing what they might have to say. Before this, we didn’t even know a place like this existed, or what Candace House was all about. My family suffered from so much anxiety and trauma because of losing Rebecca, and also the court and trial process. But so quickly Candace House made us feel welcomed, comforted, and safe.“ — Stephanie Contois
In December 2022, another meeting was held to inform the family that three more women had lost their lives to the same man who had taken Rebecca’s. Marcedes Myran, Morgan Harris, and an unidentified woman, later honoured as Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe (Buffalo Woman), had also been tragically killed — identified by DNA alone as there were no bodies. Meetings with the Myran and Harris families were held at Candace House to provide updates on the investigation and discuss the next steps forward.
“That December after we found out was a blur. We went through daily routines just from habit. We planned to have a funeral for Marcedes, even though we didn’t have her body. We set a date for a memorial in the city. My sisters had come to make arrangements as we couldn’t do it. We were in shock, frozen. Marcedes has two beautiful children — a son, Titan, and a daughter, MacKenzie. The pain and terror they have gone through and are still going through is unimaginable. The pain is so unbearable, I just shed tears with them.
Marcedes was a young beautiful woman. She loved her family, and was kind and loving. She loved to have fun and would play jokes on me when I would go to visit, like hiding my shoes or purse and making me look for them. When she got caught playing her jokes she would just burst out laughing and say “Got you! You should have seen your face!’ It’s absolutely heartbreaking that we can never have those joyous moments with her again.”
— Donna Bartlett, grandmother to Marcedes
Nearly a year passed before court proceedings were scheduled to begin. In preparation, staff from several organizations collaborated to plan support for the families during this challenging time. Candace House took the lead in coordinating all meals and securing additional space at the RBC Convention Centre, as our facility could only host two families.
A pipe ceremony, led by Elders Leslie Spillett and Gramma Shingoose, was held at Candace House — families and staff gathered in a circle, offering prayers and finding strength together.
As the first court dates approached in November 2023, a two-week preliminary hearing filled with horrific details that were about to be discussed in court, the families gathered again at Candace House. Here, they had the chance to hear these painful details from the Crown attorneys in a compassionate, gentle way — protected from the added trauma of hearing them for the first time in a courtroom with the accused just feet away. Though nothing could erase the horror of what they were about to face, Candace House provided a space where they could find a sense of comfort and support.
In collaboration with court staff, we received permission to arrange live streaming of the proceedings to Candace House and the RBC Convention Centre, allowing families the choice to participate in a way that felt manageable. They could chose to stay informed and listen to the proceedings without going through security or sitting in the same room as the person who took their loved one. Instead, they could listen while having a cup of coffee, checking their phone, or asking questions — simple comforts not possible in a courtroom setting.
“The court process was very long and emotional. The heartache it caused, having to sit in the courtroom with that evil monster, having to listen to all the excuses. Listening to what that monster had done to my girl hurts, it cuts my heart deep. It has impacted my family greatly and has taken part of our souls and life away, and we will have to live with that for the rest of our lives.” — Donna Bartlett
Honouring our loved ones & finding comfort in each other — through sharing laughter, memories, and tears.
The legal system and court process allow little room for a loved one's life to be acknowledged, primarily focused on the accused and offering minimal support to grieving families. Candace House strives to change this by creating a space where families are more than silent observers in a process that often sidelines them; here, they are recognized as individuals with lives and stories that truly matter. One of our greatest honours is getting to know a person through the memories shared by those who love them, putting up photos of them around our space and hearing their stories.
In the following months, Candace House continued to connect with the families, offering steady support. As Rebecca’s birthday approached on January 27th, the Contois family reached out to see if they could hold a memorial birthday at Candace House. On that day, we welcomed the Contois family along with their friends, family, and supporters. We shared a meal, told stories about Rebecca, lit candles on her birthday cake, and found comfort in each other — sharing laughter, memories, and tears.
“We didn’t have to worry about being judged or if there were too many of us. They always made room for one more. The staff knew a lot about the court process, and if you had a question they would answer it respectfully and show their support by wanting to be there. They truly genuinely cared about us and were always willing to hold your hand if you needed. I felt that connection every time I was there.” — Stephanie Contois
The grueling six-week trial finally began in late April 2024. On the night before the trial, a candlelight vigil was held outside the Law Courts. Families, supporters, community organizations, and Candace House staff gathered for a time of drumming, smudging, songs, and shared support to honor and remember the loved ones that had been taken. Over the next month and a half, the trial brought many long, hard days filled with waves of tears, anger, and exhaustion. When the burden became overwhelming, Candace House provided refuge, and in collaboration with partners, assisted families with transportation to ensure they could be present throughout the process.
Sharing homemade pies, making art, and honouring memories — Candace House is a place to just "be human."
The trial concluded in early June and on July 11th, Jeremy Skibicki was found guilty on all four counts of first-degree murder. The sense of relief was profound and beyond words. Later in August, the families once again entered court to share their victim impact statements and for sentencing to be pronounced.
“You were found guilty but that’s just not enough. You are still living, and [Marcedes] is gone. She should still be here with us... We have an emptiness that will never heal. The pain you put us through was horrible... She was not trash. She was our light, our girl, our mom, our daughter, our niece, our sister, our granddaughter, our cousin, our aunt and our friend. She was our everything... I just want a piece of her back.” — Donna Bartlett
But even with a guilty verdict, the pain of such a loss doesn’t fade — it is a lifelong burden for families whose loved ones have been murdered. And for the Myran and Harris families, further anguish continues as they wait for the landfill search. Candace House will continue to walk with these families and provide support however we can.
“I wish there were more places like Candace House in Canada because losing a loved one through homicide is really hard. No family should ever have to be alone through that difficult process. And just because when court ends, doesn’t mean the relationship with the amazing staff at Candace House ends. They are always a phone call or message away. Candace House truly cares and it made us believe that good people do exist. We are truly grateful we had a place like this to go during the horrific trial, for their ongoing support, care, and love.” — Stephanie Contois
To support families like these, donate to Candace House today.
1B-183 Kennedy Street | Winnipeg, MB | 204-515-4125 | info@candacehouse.ca |
Canadian Registered Charity No.: 85222 9590 RR0001