Landfill search for Nepinak to start in 2 weeks

The high-profile search for Tanya Nepinak's remains willstart Oct. 2 in Winnipeg's Brady Road landfill, but it has been severely scaled back.

'They are going to find her. That's where I am at right now.' Gail Nepinak

The date was announced by police on Wednesday, who had earlier in the daymet with Nepinak's family members and community elders to explain their decision to reduce the search area.

Police Chief Keith McCaskill told them that theinitial search area identified in early Augustwas alreadymammoth but had suddenly become impossible.

Due to new and inconsistentinformation, multiple areas within the landfill were furtheridentified assearch areas, stated a police release Wednesday.

"This information has created a massive search area, making it impossible to conduct an effective search," the release stated.

Search area identified by elders

Instead, police will look through an area that hadpreviously been identified by aboriginal elders during a traditional ceremony at the landfill. That search will beginOct. 2.

McCaskill told reporters at a news conference that the chances of findingNepinak are less than five per cent but he's keeping an open mind.

"Our commitment to Tanya and her family remains strong," police added in the news release.

Police believe Nepinak, a 31-year-old womanwho was last seen on Sept. 13, 2011,in the downtown area of the city,was a victim of Shawn Lamb, who has been charged with second-degree murder in her death.

Nepinak's remains have never been found, but police believe they may be buried somewhere in the city landfill.

Family members grateful

Members of Nepinak's family say they are grateful police will search the area of the landfill identified by the aboriginal elders.

Gail Nepinak, Tanya's sister, told reporters on Wednesday thatshe's not concerned about the fact the search area has been reduced.

Nepinak said the familyincluding Vernon Mann, Tanya's former partner agree with the elders regarding where the remains are likely located.

"Me, Vernon, my mom [we] always had that same sense, too, where she was because we all felt, like, we could feel her there. Like, it's unbelievable," Gail Nepinak said.

"They're doing this search and, you know, they are going to find her. That's where I am at right now," she added.

Thepolice have been recently criticizedfor taking so long to launch the search after it wasannounced inAugust.