Winnipeg father was fatally stabbed in back lane, police reveal on anniversary of his death
Posted May 14, 2025 11:31 am.
Last Updated May 14, 2025 8:56 pm.
Exactly one year after 23-year-old Leo Amos Caribou was killed in Winnipeg, police are revealing the young father was fatally stabbed by an unknown suspect.
Investigators say Caribou was confronted and stabbed by a man at the rear of a multi-unit dwelling house on Isabel Street north of Notre Dame Avenue on May 14, 2024.
The Winnipeg Police Service says Caribou then ran south down the back lane towards Notre Dame, where he was found by police officers, injured and unresponsive. Caribou was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities say the suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction.
READ: ‘Why does Leo not matter?’: Winnipeg woman demands answers 1 year after fiancé’s death
It’s the first time police have provided those additional details into Caribou’s death. His family spoke to CityNews last week, urging detectives to share more information.
“I feel like that’s something that is really hard, to cope with the passing of somebody and you don’t even know how they passed,” the man’s fiancée, Taylor Kowalenko-Caribou, said at the time.
“We’re here now and I just hope that we don’t have to be out here again demanding justice next year,” Kowalenko-Caribou told CityNews on Wednesday.
“I never had them directly reach out to me except for immediately after his passing, and every time I reach out, it’s the same answer, ‘We can’t tell you anything, sorry, we’re still working the case we promise we will work till it’s done.’ But that’s all I get every time.”
Kowalenko-Caribou also urged Winnipeg police to release CCTV footage of the incident. She hopes their calls for Justice will be heard, saying that without the full story, they will never be able to start healing.
“I try to go through the grief process, but it’s like why I would do that when two years ago or whenever they figure this out and watch these videos, statements, and backtrack it all over again, it just makes it really hard to grieve.”
Now police are asking for the public’s help in solving the homicide. Anyone with information, video surveillance, or names of those Caribou may have been in contact with are asked to call 204-986-6508 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.
A march in honour of Caribou, who left behind two young children, was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
–With files from Stef Lasuik and Mitchell Ringos
