Eduardo Balaquit was 'victim of a crime,' police say as search expands to town north of Winnipeg

Police are expandingsearch efforts for Eduardo Balaquit beyond Winnipeg city limitsand say they believe the 59-year-old father was the "victim of a crime" before he disappeared more than one week ago.

Homicide investigators and police have expanded the search for Balaquit to Arborg, Man.

Const. Rob Carver said investigators won't reveal why the search has expanded to the community,about 115 kilometres north of Winnipeg, but he isn't aware of any ties Balaquit might have inthe area.

Winnipeg police and local RCMPare in Arborg doing ground searches on Wednesday.

"These are some of the most difficult cases we deal with," Carver told reporters at a news conference Wednesday morning. "These cases are painful."

Watch Carverexplainmore about the expanded search:

Search for Eduardo Balaquit expands to Arborg, Man.

6 years ago

Duration 1:15

Police are expanding search efforts for Eduardo Balaquit beyond Winnipeg city limits to Arborg, Man., and say they believe the 59-year-old father was the victim of a crime before he disappeared.

Balaquit was reported missing when he didn't return home from work on June 4. He last spoke with family that day and was last seen near a business at380 Keewatin St., in the Tyndall Park neighbourhood, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

His van was found near his workplace with the passenger window broken in. His cellphone was still in the vehicle and some of his personal belongings were found on the ground outside.

On Wednesday afternoon, five volunteers, plus 10 officers from the Winnipeg police and RCMP, were searching just south of Arborg. Searchers have been going through fields, looking in culverts, opening farm sheds and searching by a pond.

RCMPhave brought in ATVs, and the Winnipeg police helicopterwas also seen in the area.

Police asked people not to come to the area to avoid fresh footprints in fields.

Balaquit's son Edward was searching near Little Mountain Park in northwest Winnipeg Wednesday morning but headed out to Arborg for the afternoon. He said he's fine with the policerequest to stay away from the front lines of the search.

"We're getting closer," he said.

Officials said the search would continue until dark.

Other media have reported that a letter was found at aKeewatin Street business the morning after Balaquitwent missing.Apart from acknowledging local media have reported on such a letter, Carver said Wednesday he could not confirm any details.

Thehomicide unit took over the investigation and anumber of community and family-driven search efforts have taken place over the past nine days.

"We've moved to bring inhomicide investigators which, for the elephant in the room, obviously suggests that we believe thismay be a homicide," Carver said. "But we can't term the case a homicide yet, so it'sright in the middle."

Police are asking homeowners and businessesin Arborg and the surrounding area to check their properties and outbuildings for any signs of Balaquit.

Anyone in the area who noticed anything suspicious on the evening of June 4is asked to contact investigators204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.

"Investigators request that if anythingsuspiciousis located that nothing be touched and the area not be disturbed," saidConst.Carver.

Eduardo Balaquit is 5-foot-4, 155 pounds and has a medium build. He was wearing a black zip-up sweater, black pants and black shoes when he was last seen.

The family also encourages anyone with information to reach out to them directly at 204-298-5171 or 204-510-5170.

Police and RCMP search for missing man in Arborg, Man

6 years ago

Duration 1:32

Homicide investigators and police have expanded the search for Eduardo Balaquit to Arborg, Man.