A 20-year-old woman, Raeanne Thomas, is feared to be at immediate risk following a violent incident in Pimicikamak Cree Nation, where she was forcibly taken from her home by a 39-year-old man, Joshua Paupanekis, in a case of intimate partner violence, as reported by Manitoba RCMP. The authorities issued a dangerous person alert for Paupanekis after the abduction of Thomas, which occurred around 5:40 a.m. when Cross Lake RCMP responded to an aggravated assault at a residence in the community, located approximately 530 kilometers north of Winnipeg.
According to RCMP, Paupanekis entered a home and assaulted a 24-year-old man with a hammer before abducting Thomas, who he last seen fleeing with. The police are gravely concerned for her safety.
Paupanekis’s mother, Kimberlee Johnson, expressed her hopes for Raeanne’s safety, emphasizing the distress caused to both families. RCMP Sgt. Paul Manaigre confirmed that Paupanekis and Thomas were or are romantically involved, highlighting the concerning dynamics of intimate partner violence in this case.
Given the possibility that Paupanekis may have left Pimicikamak, RCMP have expanded their search efforts beyond the community, considering his potential to access a vehicle and leave the area. Multiple police units, including additional officers from Winnipeg, are actively searching for Thomas and Paupanekis, with a focus on gathering community information to locate them.
Descriptive details of Thomas and Paupanekis have been released by the police to aid in identification. Thomas, weighing approximately 115 pounds with brown hair and eyes, is contrasted with Paupanekis, who is six feet tall, around 185 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, and deemed armed and dangerous.
Pimicikamak Chief David Monias advised residents to limit outdoor movements to essentials and cooperate with the ongoing RCMP investigation. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Paupanekis or Thomas is urged to contact the Cross Lake detachment at 204-676-2600.