Curtis Medicine of Rainy River First Nation found deceased; Fort Frances man facing multiple charges
FORT FRANCES, ON – April 6, 2025 – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged a Fort Frances man with second-degree murder following the discovery of a deceased individual reported missing earlier this week.
On Thursday, April 3, officers from the Fort Frances OPP Detachment began investigating the disappearance of Curtis MEDICINE, 41, of Rainy River First Nation. Two days later, on Saturday, April 5, Medicine was located deceased inside a residence on Fifth Street West in Fort Frances.
The circumstances surrounding his death have led to a homicide investigation.
Murder Charge Laid
As a result of the ongoing investigation, Joseph DESROSIERS, 53, of Fort Frances, has been arrested and charged with the following offences under the Criminal Code of Canada:
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Second Degree Murder – Section 235(1)
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Indignity to a Dead Body – Section 182(b)
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Failure to Comply with Release Order – Section 145(5)(a)
Desrosiers has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
A post-mortem examination will be conducted by the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS) in Toronto to determine the exact cause of death.
Ongoing Investigation
While there is no threat to public safety, residents in the area may notice a continued police presence as the investigation progresses.
The case is being led by the North West Region Crime Unit and the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, with support from the Office of the Chief Coroner, OFPS, and OPP Forensic Identification Services.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the investigation to come forward. If you have not yet spoken with police, you are asked to contact the Fort Frances OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
