Search continues for missing Winnipeg woman who hasn't been seen since July

A search continued in frigid temperatures Saturdayfor a Winnipeg woman who hasn't been seen since last summer.

Members of Bear Clan citizen patrol group joined family and friends to search for Leah Keeper, 32, who Winnipeg police say was reported missing in November, after she waslast seen July 25 in the city's North End.

"She's a young woman that needs a lot of support from us to find her," Keeper's mother, Beverley Courchene, said Saturday.

"That's not like her to go missing this long. She's always connected with me because she knew I was looking after her daughters," said Courchene.

"She'd always call and see how the girls were doing, but she hadn't contacted me since July."

Her daughter's disappearance has "taken a toll," she said,and she's been praying,doing her own therapy and trying to stay positive during the search.

She said she sometimes wouldn't hear from her daughter for two weeks at a time, but "then she'd surface again and call me and see how her daughters were doing."

She's never gone missing like this before, said Courchene.

"Not this long. Not this long."

Brittany Murdock, achildhood friend of Keeper's who lived with her at one point, said agroup offriends have started a group chat to figure out what they can do to help find Keeper.

"I think it was just that love that we had for herand still have for herthat brought us together, and it formed into a larger group, and we're here today," said Murdock.

"I think all of us want to do anything that we can to see that Leah's brought home safe and that she's still here with us."

Katie Thompson said it's frustrating to think that someone knows why herchildhood friend has been missing for so long.

"I definitely think people know what happened to Leah in this community, in other communities," said Thompson. "You don't just go missing and no one knows nothing."

She also said she wants people to know Keeper, whom she describes as a kind soul, has touched many people's hearts.

"Her kids need her, and we need her home, "said Thompson.

Winnipeg police said in a November news release Keeper was reported missing in the area of Salter Avenue and Selkirk Street. She's described as five foot three, with a thin build, medium-length black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police missing persons unit at 204-986-6250 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.

Watch | Searchers go door-to-door

Family and friends search Winnipeg streets for Leah Keeper

9 months ago

Duration 1:27

Family and friends search Winnipeg streets for Leah Keeper