The 2025 Manitoba Homicide Victim List is available here

Berens River RCMP received a report of an assault, with the victim taken to the local Nursing Station on February 13, 2025, around 4:00 pm.

Upon arrival, officers learned that 45-year-old Leslie Mason had sustained severe injuries and was in critical condition. Sadly, he was pronounced dead shortly after. Mason was a Father of 14 according to several outlets.

The investigation revealed that three individuals, suspected of being involved in the assault, had left the area in a black Dodge Ram pickup truck, possibly heading toward Bloodvein First Nation. Officers located the vehicle near Bloodvein First Nation and arrested the three men, aged 43, 31, and 22, without incident.

On February 14, 2025, RCMP charged Michael Oliver Franklin, 31, and Thomas Bryton Goosehead, 22, with 2nd Degree Murder. Russell Lee Franklin, 43, was charged with Accessory to Murder After the Fact. All three were remanded into custody.

Anyone with information in relation to this homicide is asked to contact the Berens River RCMP at 204-382-2436