Bodies of infants found hidden in storage locker

• Police say the discovery of as many as four dead infants in a U-Haul storage locker is “tragic beyond belief,” but it was not clear Tuesday if the deaths were homicides.

Const. Eric Hofley said concerned employees at the storage facility in northwest Winnipeg called police Monday afternoon. Once inside, officers found what appeared to be the remains of the babies.

“It was the state of the remains that drew the attention of the employees,” Const. Hofley told a news conference. “The remains were in a state such as it’s not obvious yet exactly whether we are dealing with four separate re- mains or three. That will be determined at autopsy.”

It is not clear how the infants died, how old they were or even if they were full term, he said. But the victims appeared to be “very, very young” and could be newborns.

The discovery is being investigated by the city’s child abuse unit and homicide detectives are being kept apprised, the constable said.

Police were talking to a few people, but the remains do not appear to be linked to any infants reported missing, he added. “It’s suspicious. Until autopsies have been completed, whether it is found that someone has deliberately caused the death of one or all of these infants, that remains to be seen. It’s just too early in the investigation to say exactly what’s transpired here.”

The storage facility, which was cordoned off, was cleared Tuesday. Employees who were on the site declined to comment to reporters and directed inquiries to police.

Razmin Mansoub ,president of U-Haul Co. of Central Canada, said the employees discovered the remains “when taking inventory of a delinquent storage locker.”

“U-Haul is deeply shocked and saddened by this discovery,” he said in an emailed statement. “Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, UHaul cannot comment with any further details.”

Police are remaining tightlipped about the case for now because they do not want to jeopardize an investigation, Const. Hofley said. “This incident [is] tragic beyond belief and leaves many questions unanswered at this time.”

Even if the deaths were not a result of foul play, charges could still be laid, he added. “Obviously, you’re not allowed to store, to conceal human remains. That, in itself, would be a charge. Until such time that the autopsies have determined what exactly was the cause of this, we won’t know what the full extent of the charges may or may not be.”