PIKANGIKUM FIRST NATION — REGIONAL NEWS — Ontario Provincial Police are renewing their appeal for information one year after the suspicious death of Tina Turtle, 61, of Pikangikum First Nation, with the Ontario government offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.

Police say Turtle died from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision after she was found in medical distress on Big House Road on June 1, 2025.

OPP Continue Suspicious Death Investigation

Shortly after 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, 2025, members of the OPP Red Lake Detachment, Pikangikum Peacekeepers and emergency medical services responded to a report of a person in medical distress on Big House Road.

Turtle was transported to the nursing station, where she was pronounced dead.

A postmortem examination later determined that the cause of death was injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision.

Police have not publicly released details about the vehicle involved or the circumstances leading to the collision.

$50,000 Reward Available for Information

The Government of Ontario is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Turtle’s death.

Police have also released a reward poster and a map identifying the location where Turtle was found as investigators continue seeking information from the public.

Anyone who may have seen or heard something in the area that night, or who has information about a vehicle or person connected to the incident, is being encouraged to contact police.

Major Crime Investigation Remains Active

The investigation is being conducted by the OPP North West Region Crime Unit under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch.

Investigators are working in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

OPP Forensic Identification Services and the Traffic Incident Management Enforcement Team have also assisted.

Pikangikum First Nation Chief Paddy Peters said unresolved suspicious deaths have a broader impact on families and the community.

“The Chief and Council of the First Nation of Pikangikum are asking community members with information about the tragic death of Tina Turtle to come forward to the police,” Peters said.

He said information from community members could help provide answers for Turtle’s family and Pikangikum First Nation.

OPP Detective Inspector Adam Wilkins said investigators continue to seek any information that could help establish what happened.

“Tina Turtle’s family deserves answers,” Wilkins said. “We are asking anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to please come forward.”

What Criminal Code Charges Could Apply?

Police have not announced any arrests or charges, and it would be premature to conclude that any specific Criminal Code offence occurred.

Depending on what investigators ultimately establish, fatal motor vehicle investigations can potentially involve several Criminal Code provisions.

Dangerous operation causing death — Section 320.13(3): This offence may apply where a person operates a vehicle in a manner that is dangerous to the public and causes death. It is an indictable offence carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Failure to stop after an accident causing death — Section 320.16(3): This provision can apply where a driver involved in an accident knowingly fails, without reasonable excuse, to stop and provide identifying information or assistance, and the accident results in death. The maximum sentence is life imprisonment.

Criminal negligence causing death — Section 220: In cases involving a marked and serious disregard for the lives or safety of others, investigators may consider criminal negligence causing death. The maximum sentence is life imprisonment.

Those provisions are provided only as general legal context. Police have not said which, if any, offences are being considered in this investigation.

Sentencing in any future case would depend on the specific charge, the evidence, aggravating and mitigating factors, the offender’s record and the circumstances established in court.

Any person charged with an offence is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Police Ask Anyone With Information to Come Forward

Anyone with information connected to Turtle’s death is asked to contact the Red Lake OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

People who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or provide information through Ontario Crime Stoppers.

Police say even information that may appear minor could help investigators establish the sequence of events surrounding Turtle’s death.