Phillip MCKAY Missing Person Case

Phillip

MCKAY

56

33

68 inches

68 inches

141 lbs

141 lbs

Indigenous

Male

On a spring morning, what began as a routine day of fishing ended in tragedy, leaving a family with unanswered questions and a community in sorrow. On June 3, 2003, a fisherman and his helper, Phillip McKay, set out from Berens River, Manitoba, to tend to their commercial fishing nets in Sandy Bar Bay. The day was like any other, filled with the familiar sounds of the water and the shared work between two men earning their livelihood from the lake. The two men left at approximately 9:00 a.m., unaware of the perilous events that would soon unfold. While retrieving their nets, a sudden and unfortunate accident occurred when one of the nets became entangled in the boat's motor propeller. This caused the boat to be pulled down, and in a swift and terrifying turn of events, two large waves struck and capsized the vessel, plunging both men into the cold water. Both were encumbered by their oilers, making the desperate struggle to stay afloat incredibly difficult. While one of the fishermen managed to survive the ordeal and was later treated for shock and hypothermia, Phillip McKay was not as fortunate. Despite the survival of his companion, Phillip's body was never recovered from the waters of Sandy Bar Bay. At the time of this tragic incident, Phillip was an Indigenous male, described as being 68 inches tall and weighing 141 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He had distinctive physical characteristics, including a crooked right leg that caused him to walk with a limp, as well as crooked fingers on both his right and left hands. The official conclusion of the authorities is that Phillip McKay is presumed to have died by drowning. The case is a somber reminder of the unforgiving power of nature and the profound loss experienced by those left behind when a loved one vanishes without a trace. The overview of the case is that a fishing accident led to a man's disappearance and presumed death, but without the recovery of his remains, a definitive finality remains elusive for his family.

Deformity Right Leg, Crooked, walks with a limp Deformity Right Hand, Crooked fingers Deformity Left Hand, Crooked fingers

Jun 03, 2003

Berens Island, Berens River

Manitoba

D Division Missing & Exploited Persons Unit

Manitoba

204-983-6055

204-983-6055

Law Enforcement

201586298

D Division Missing & Exploited Persons Unit

Black

Brown

Brown

No