Police are searching for an accused killer after Manitoba Justice told them Tuesday an inmate had been released in error.
The Winnipeg Police Service’s major crimes unit asked for the public’s help Wednesday in finding Mark Phillip Traverse, 27. He is described as about 6-1 in height, 183 pounds, with a medium build, short brown hair and brown eyes.
“While Traverse is not considered armed and dangerous or a threat to public safety, he should not be approached,” a WPS news release said.
Mark Phillip Traverse, 27, who is charged with manslaughter in a 2023 death, was released from custody in error. (Supplied)
Investigators believe Traverse is in Winnipeg or the surrounding area. Police asked anyone who might have been in contact with him or has knowledge of his whereabouts to contact the major crimes unit at 204-986-6219, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or online.
Police previously announced that Traverse was arrested at his Winnipeg home on April 21, 2023. He was charged with manslaughter when a man died after being assaulted in Point Douglas earlier that month. Traverse was detained in custody.
He pleaded guilty in August to two counts of failing to comply with conditions of a release order. Traverse was released on bail after being charged with manslaughter, but that was revoked at the end of August.
Leo Charles Martin-Shea, 25, was assaulted on the east side of Main Street at Stella Avenue the night of April 8 and went home after. Police and emergency personnel were not contacted until April 11, after his condition had worsened, the WPS said at the time. He died in hospital days later, on April 19.
Martin-Shea’s death was Winnipeg’s 10th homicide of 2023. His ex-girlfriend, Chantel Sinclair, told the Free Press that month that the accused was Martin-Shea’s “best friend.” Sinclair was told he was punched, resulting in a head injury.
Sinclair said she didn’t know what led up to the incident or how many times her former partner was struck.
Sinclair previously told the Free Press that Martin-Shea sent her a text message the day after he was assaulted. He didn’t mention anything about what had happened or how he was feeling, she said.
Sinclair found out about the assault when his condition worsened.
“He wasn’t feeling good for a few days. He was complaining of headaches,” she said.
Sinclair said she visited Martin-Shea while he was unconscious in hospital.
“Seeing him, it was heartbreaking,” she previously told the Free Press. “To think that the love of your life won’t come out of it, it shattered me.”
