In the early summer of 2009, 37-year-old Richard Joseph Tssessaze, a respected band councillor for the Northlands Denesuline First Nation, found himself in Winnipeg, Manitoba, far from his home in Lac Brochet. He had traveled to the city on June 14, arriving from his girlfriend's residence in Brandon. Worryingly, he had left his identification behind and was also dealing with a recent head trauma that may have left him disoriented.
His last confirmed sighting was on June 26, 2009, in downtown Winnipeg, near the St. Regis Hotel on Smith Street. At the time, Richard was wearing a black t-shirt and black dress pants. He was a father of four, and his sudden silence was profoundly out of character, sparking immediate concern among those who knew him.
Concern for Richard's well-being mounted when he failed to make arrangements to collect his paycheque at the end of June. This detail was particularly alarming as it suggested he had no money with him. His family, friends, and colleagues knew him as a responsible man who always stayed in touch, especially when away from his community. His disappearance sent shockwaves through the remote, fly-in community of Lac Brochet, where residents held a candlelight vigil, praying for his safe return. Members of his community, including the chief, traveled to Winnipeg to search for him, but their efforts yielded no clues.
Richard was a former teacher who had taught in various communities, including Dillon, Saskatchewan, as well as Island Lake, Jackhead, and Lac Brochet in Manitoba. He is described as an Indigenous male, standing at six feet tall and weighing approximately 161 pounds with a heavy build, black hair, and brown eyes. He has distinguishing scars near his mouth, on his forehead, and on his left forearm. To this day, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain a mystery, and his whereabouts are unknown. The case is an ongoing missing person investigation, a painful uncertainty for his family and community who continue to seek answers.Last Seen: Jun 26, 2009
