Cause of death for Manitoba woman found frozen still unknown: RCMP

April Woodhouse was found frozen outside a home in Pinaymootang First Nation on Jan. 31, 2025. Her family is now searching for answers in her death. (Supplied: Rose Stagg)

The cause of death of a woman found frozen outside of a home in northern Manitoba last month is still not known following an autopsy, upsetting her family, who believe there is foul play involved.

On Jan. 31, officers from the Gypsumville RCMP detachment were called to a home on Main Market Road in Pinaymootang First Nation, located 240 kilometers northwest of Winnipeg.

A 50-year-old woman was found outside in medical distress and in need of immediate medical attention. EMS were on scene providing help to the woman when RCMP arrived.

The woman, later identified by family as April Woodhouse, was taken to hospital and pronounced deceased.

RCMP initially told CTV News Winnipeg that April’s death was a medical incident where “nothing criminal in nature occurred.”

However, one day later, they said the Major Crimes Unit was investigating and were awaiting the results of an autopsy.

On Tuesday, RCMP issued an update, noting the autopsy was completed Sunday.

“An autopsy conducted over the weekend of February 9, 2025, has confirmed that the cause of death was not attributable to any physical injuries nor was it due to exposure,” RCMP said in a statement. “The cause of death remains under investigation as we await further test results from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.”

RCMP said it could be three to four months for results from the further tests.

Rose Stagg, April’s sister, said in a statement that they were not satisfied with the results.

“I have proof of her pics that she was beaten. We are going to a higher power with this,” she said in a statement to CTV Winnipeg.

The investigation is ongoing.

-With files from CTV’s Jon Hendricks and Danton Unger.