Manslaughter charge follows disappearance of man in Thunder Bay

An undated photo of a Thunder Bay Police Service vehicle parked in the city. (File photo/Thunder Bay Police Service/Facebook)

A 33-year-old Thunder Bay man is facing a manslaughter charge following a police investigation into the death of a man who had been reported missing last month.

The accused was arrested on June 6.

“The accused remains in custody following their first court appearance,” the Thunder Bay Police Service said in a news release Sunday.

Police said the charge stems from the death of 36-year-old Kelsey Anderson, whose body was located by investigators during the course of the police probe.

Private family matter

Anderson, originally of Webequie First Nation, was reported missing on May 9. He was last seen that day at Old Navy in the Thunder Centre shopping area.

On May 26, Thunder Bay police announced that Anderson was no longer the subject of a missing persons investigation, stating the matter was now a private family matter – at that time, no details of the search were released.

Thunder Bay police acknowledged the involvement of other emergency service partners in extensive search efforts and thanked search teams and community members for providing information and assistance.

Family confirms Anderson located

One day before police closed the missing person file, the family of Kelsey Anderson issued a statement confirming he had been located.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share that Kelsey Anderson has been located,” the family said.

The family extended gratitude to organizations, agencies, volunteers and individuals who assisted in search efforts, with a special mention to First Nation communities that sent members to help.

The family also thanked Thunder Bay police and the Ontario Provincial Police for their assistance and support during the search efforts.

“At this time, the family respectfully asks for privacy as they grieve and spend time together,” the statement read.

Body recovered from floodway

Titus Semple, a spokesperson for the family, said Anderson’s body was recovered from Thunder Bay’s Neebing-McIntyre Floodway.

Thunder Bay police say the investigation remains ongoing under the direction of its major crime unit.