Homicide victim found in burned-out vehicle on outskirts of Brandon: RCMP

Police found the body of a homicide victim in the trunk of a burned-out vehicle on the outskirts of Brandon last October, Manitoba RCMP revealed Wednesday.

It’s the latest detail shared by police in the investigation into the death of 37-year-old James Vernon Giesbrecht.

Homicide detectives say Giesbrecht’s remains were found on Oct. 13, 2022, in the trunk of a grey 2007 Honda Accord, which was stolen from Regina. The burned-out vehicle was found just south of the intersection of Road 108 West and Road 51 North in the RM of Cornwallis.

The vehicle was seen in the Brandon area between Oct. 5-13, 2022.

Police say a complete forensic examination was done on the vehicle. Physical evidence was found and sent to a laboratory for DNA testing, RCMP say.

Manitoba RCMP say additional searches have taken place in relation to the homicide, which led investigators to more evidence.

But police are still hoping the public can provide any information related to the case.

Investigators part of the James Vernon Giesbrecht homicide investigation on the scene near Brandon, Man. (Submitted by: Manitoba RCMP)

Police identified the homicide victim as Giesbrecht this January, four months after the body was found. Giesbrecht had been reported missing from the Brandon area on Dec. 12, 2022.

“We believe a number of people encountered and interacted with James in late September and early October,” said Cpl. Julie Courchaine of the Manitoba RCMP in January. “We need those people to immediately come forward.”