News release
Update #3 – RCMP lay charges in abduction investigation
February 9, 2026
-
Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Manitoba
From: Manitoba RCMP
On this page
Content
Update #3 – RCMP lay charges in abduction investigation
On February 6, 2026, at 11:15 am, 39-year-old Albert McKay, also known as Joshua Paupanekis, was arrested without incident at a vacant property located in Pimicikamak Cree Nation. The 20-year-old female victim, who had suffered minor injuries, was also located within the residence and taken to the Nursing Station as a precaution. She was treated and later released.
On February 7, 2026, Albert Allan Joshua McKay, was remanded into custody on charges including Kidnapping, Assault with a weapon x2 and Fail to comply with an undertaking x2. His first court appearance is scheduled for February 9, 2026, in Thompson.
RCMP Major Crime Services continues to investigate.
-----------------------------------------------------
Update #2 – RCMP safely locate victim and take suspect into custody
Over the past 24 hours, the Manitoba and Saskatchewan RCMP have deployed multiple units, including a specialized search plane, and dozens of officers from across both provinces to Pimicikamak Cree Nation to search for a male suspect and the female he abducted.
At approximately 11:15 am today, information was received that led officers to a residence in the community where Joshua Paupanekis was taken into custody without incident. Raeanne Thomas was also located safely in the residence with minor injuries and taken to the Nursing Station as a precaution.
The Manitoba RCMP would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.
-----------------------------------------------------
Update #1 - Manitoba RCMP continue to search for suspect following abduction of 20-year-old female
Manitoba RCMP continues to search for Joshua Paupanekis, a 39-year-old male from the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in connection with the abduction of a 20-year-old female earlier today.
At 5:40 a.m. Thursday, Cross Lake RCMP responded to a report that Paupanekis had entered a home, struck a 24-year-old male resident with a hammer, then abducted Raeanne Thomas. The RCMP believes she is in immediate danger. Paupanekis and Thomas are known to one another, and this is considered an act of intimate partner violence.
Paupanekis was subsequently the subject of a Dangerous Person Alert issued Thursday morning by the Manitoba RCMP through the Alert Ready system.
Since the alert was issued, multiple police units have continued to work in the community, with officers going door-to-door in an effort to locate both the suspect and the victim.
Additional RCMP officers from Winnipeg arrived in the community early this afternoon to further support the investigation.
While search efforts are concentrated in Pimicikamak Cree Nation, it is possible Paupanekis has fled the community.
Raeanne Thomas is 20 years old, weighs about 115 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Paupanekis is 6’ tall, about 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
“Our officers are doing everything they can to safely locate Raeanne and arrest the suspect. The Manitoba RCMP’s Emergency Operations Centre has been activated to assist in coordinating all search and investigative efforts that are underway,” said Sergeant Paul Manaigre of the Manitoba RCMP. “We fear for Raeanne’s safety and urge the public to report any possible sightings immediately to the RCMP.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cross Lake RCMP Detachment at 204-676-2600.
Cross Lake RCMP and RCMP Major Crime Services continue to investigate.
-----------------------------------------------------
Manitoba RCMP issue Dangerous Person Alert for Pimicikamak Cree Nation following abduction of 20-year-old female
The Manitoba RCMP has issued a Dangerous Person Alert through the Alert Ready system for Pimicikamak Cree Nation and surrounding areas as officers search for 39-year-old Joshua Paupanekis.
At 5:40 am, Cross Lake RCMP responded to a report of an aggravated assault at a residence in the community.
The subsequent investigation has determined that 39-year-old Joshua Paupanekis, entered a home in Pimicikamak Cree Nation and struck a 24-year-old resident with a hammer.
The suspect, who also armed with a knife, then abducted a 20-year-old female from the residence. Joshua Paupanekis was last seen fleeing on foot with the victim.
There is a large-scale search effort with multiple police units underway in the community to locate the victim, 20-year-old Raeanne Thomas. The RCMP believes she is in immediate danger.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 39-year-old Joshua Paupanekis, who we request the public to not approach as he is considered armed and dangerous, and/or 20-year-old Raeanne Thomas, is asked to contact the Cross Lake RCMP Detachment at 204-676-2600.
Cross Lake RCMP, along with Police Dog Services, continue to investigate.