Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have ceased their search for the remaining parts of Mekhi Pelly’s body following arrests made in the murder case. However, the family of the man from the Kenora area remains resolute in their commitment to continue the search until all his remains are found.
Brian Pelly, the father of the 21-year-old who was reported missing on October 26, expressed his determination to keep searching tirelessly until his son is located. Mekhi Pelly, also known as Mekhi Waters Pelly Scott, belonged to the Grassy Narrows First Nation, situated about 80 kilometers northeast of Kenora in northwestern Ontario. His last known sighting was between October 10 and 12.
Initially charged with indignity to a dead body on November 3, a 24-year-old man was later charged with first-degree murder on November 14. On the same day, a 43-year-old woman from Kenora was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder.
Recently, the Kenora OPP’s emergency response team discovered some human remains in the Washagamis Bay area (Obashkaandagaang First Nation) on November 26. The remains were confirmed to be those of Pelly after a post-mortem examination.
Despite this confirmation, Pelly’s family persists in their search for the entirety of his remains, considering him still missing. The extensive search efforts have not yielded all the remains, prompting the family to continue their quest.
When questioned by CBC News about the completeness of the recovery, OPP spokesperson Erin McCrea stated that the search was thorough, covering both the area and duration extensively, with no further areas left to explore. The investigation remains ongoing, and any new developments will be shared in due course.
Described as a sociable young man who enjoyed basketball, technology, and spending time with loved ones, Mekhi’s untimely death has left a profound impact on his family. The family, along with the First Nation and neighboring communities, have been actively involved in combing through various locations for any traces of Mekhi, including Kenora, Washagamis Bay, and Wauzhushk Onigum Nation.
Facing challenges due to inclement weather and limited resources, community leaders sought federal funding to support the search effort, which was unfortunately denied. The ongoing struggle to secure funding and recruit searchers has hindered the search progress.
Efforts to seek support for the search operations have involved Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), which collaborates with various federal, provincial, and municipal agencies in search and rescue missions for Indigenous individuals. The ISC may provide assistance for search and recovery efforts if standard search and rescue operations prove unsuccessful.
While direct financial assistance is not provided to families of missing and murdered Indigenous persons by Canada’s Department of Justice, support can be accessed through Family Information Liaison Units and the Community Support and Healing for Families initiative, which offer culturally sensitive services.
The investigation into Mekhi Pelly’s disappearance and death is being overseen by the Kenora OPP’s crime unit, with commendations for the collaborative efforts of various units and agencies involved in the search operation. Brian Pelly expressed a desire for broader awareness of his son’s story and raised concerns about potential bias based on Indigenous identity in the case.
For those with information related to the case, Kenora OPP and Crime Stoppers can be contacted anonymously. The family encourages anyone reading about Mekhi to cherish their loved ones and emphasizes the universal value of human life beyond racial distinctions.
Support is available for those affected by missing and murdered Indigenous people through a national hotline offering immediate emotional assistance and crisis support around the clock.