Remains identified as missing man at centre of Manitoba homicide investigation

Human remains found in rural Manitoba last week have been identified as Clifford Joseph, who has been the subject of a homicide investigation since his disappearance in June. 

Clifford Joseph, 40, was last seen leaving his home in Manitoba’s rural municipality of St. Clements on June 7. Police said Monday that human remains found on July 18 were those of Joseph. (Submitted by Manitoba RCMP)

Human remains found in rural Manitoba last week have been identified as Clifford Joseph, who has been the subject of a homicide investigation since his disappearance in June. 

RCMP said Tuesday the remains found in the area of Stead, Man., some 75 kilometres north of Winnipeg, on July 18 are those of Joseph, 40.

Police haven’t made any arrests in the case, but previously said Joseph’s neighbour in the rural municipality of St. Clements, Eric Wildman, was considered a suspect. 

Wildman was arrested after a confrontation with Ontario police in June.  

Joseph was last seen leaving his home on Road 44 East on June 7. His pickup truck was found abandoned that day not far from Wildman’s property.

Not long after, police said they were treating Joseph’s disappearance as a homicide and the evidence pointed to Wildman, 34.

He fled and set off a days-long search. Investigators issued a warrant and found an abandoned vehicle of Wildman’s containing weapons and replica police clothing.

Eric Paul Wildman is a suspect in Joseph’s disappearance, investigators say. He was arrested last month in Ontario after a confrontation with police. (Submitted by RCMP)

Sightings led investigators through the Whiteshell Provincial Park area, and into Ontario. Wildman was eventually found and arrested at a home in Belleville, Ont.

Though no one was injured, Wildman allegedly shot at Ontario police ahead of the arrest. He was subsequently charged with two counts of attempted murder.

RCMP haven’t released any more details about the possible link between Wildman and the death of Joseph. The investigation continues.

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