As flames lit up the early morning sky on September 9, 2021, in Northlands Denesuline First Nation, the community was in a panic. A house was on fire and two people were still believed to be inside. When the fire was extinguished, the lives of Veronique Denechezhe and Ellen Tssessaze and their families were shattered.
Veronique’s son Brent Denechezhe, 31, and Ellen’s daughter Leona Tssessaze, 24, died in the house fire, and the RCMP declared their deaths a homicide. The two mothers could not understand what happened to their children, why anyone would want them hurt, but most of all, they did not know what they were supposed to do next.
“I struggle with my grief,” said Veronique. “There are too many questions. What happened? Did he feel pain? Did they try to save themselves? If I was there, would I have made a difference?”
Veronique was working outside the community when her son died, and now she cannot see herself living there again.
“Whoever did this to Brent and Leona, whoever killed my son, is still there, still lives there. I can’t be there and unknowingly wish the person who killed my baby a nice day.”
Ellen agrees that not knowing what happened that night makes it hard to properly grieve her daughter.
“All I can do is remember her,” said Ellen. “She was so kind and helpful. Leona was of this community – she loved to be outdoors camping, fishing and snowmobiling. She was also a really good cook and liked to bake. What I miss most is lying beside her on her bed relaxing and just talking with her.”
For Ellen, working and keeping busy has helped her cope, as well as her three other children. “My children keep me going,” she said. “My children are my strength.”
Leona’s family members have taken the loss very hard. Her two-year-old brother looks at her picture, not knowing why Leona doesn’t come home. Her four-year-old nephew still won’t talk about Leona, and her 12-year-old sister spends a lot of time alone, trying to not let her mother know she is crying.
“I don’t know why this had to happen,” said Ellen in disbelief. “I just keep wondering why. Whoever did this needs to come forward. Please come forward. If anyone knows anything, please help us. Please help our families. Speak up for Leona and Brent.”
Not knowing what happened makes it very difficult to explain to the children left behind why their sister or why their father is not coming home. Brent had two children, and Veronique struggles to help them understand their father is gone.
“His girls meant the world to him,” Veronique said. “My son was a great father. How do we tell his girls he’s gone? How do we explain that this man who loved sports, who was a quiet man who wouldn’t stop talking once you got to know him, that he is no longer going to be here to wrap them in his arms? What happens when they find out that someone made the choice to take him away from them? What happens when they realize someone in their community killed their dad and nobody has said anything?”
For both Ellen and Veronique the thought that someone in the community is capable of taking a life and is still at large is a frightening one. They do not want any other family to live their nightmare.
“Please come forward,” said Ellen, very quietly, with her eyes cast downward. “For Leona. For Brent. For us. For the community. Someone come forward.”
RCMP Major Crime Services investigators are actively investigating the homicide of Brent and Leona and are asking anyone with information to please call the RCMP tip line at 431-489-8551, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
About Northland First Nation:
The community of Lac Brochet is within the Northland First Nation area. It is about 1,557 km north of Virden.
As of February 2013, the total membership of Northland First Nation was 1,024 with 868 members living on-reserve and 156 members living off-reserve.
The First Nation is governed by a Chief and six councillors and is affiliated with the Keewatin Tribal Council. The Keewatin Tribal Council with its head office in Thompson represents eleven First Nations in Northern Manitoba.
