Two charged in connection to death of Oxbow woman

Saskatchewan RCMP are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in a rural area as a homicide.

The victim has been identified as 28-year-old Brianna Hayes from Oxbow.

“Her family has been notified and victim services made available to them,” states an RCMP news release sent out Friday, providing an update on the case.

An earlier release, sent Thursday, indicated police first received a report of a potential homicide on April 24.

The initial call prompted a search of the landfill in the community of Oxbow, which did not turn up any human remains.

The woman's body was found around noon Thursday in a rural location in the Rural Municipality of Moose Mountain.

A 24-year-old man from Oxbow has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to the death. A 27-year-old man has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder.

RCMP advised the public they don't believe there is any further threat to public safety, but people may see a heightened police presence in the areas of the White Bear First Nation, RM of Moose Mountain and Oxbow as the investigation continues.

Police indicated in the release that they received media inquiries during the investigation asking them to prematurely confirm they were investigating a homicide and had found human remains.

“It's important for the public to understand that there are situations where we must temporarily hold back information to maintain the integrity of an investigation and to ultimately work to seek justice

There are situations where we must temporarily hold back information to maintain the integrity of an investigation

for victims of crime,” the release said. “Whenever possible we also prioritize ensuring a victim's loved ones are updated and provided support before publicly releasing information about their injury or death.”

RCMP ask anyone with information to call 310-RCMP, or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Oxbow is about 250 kilometres southeast of Regina.