The murder of Nicolle Hands - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - October 2, 2003
Author: A.B.
In the early hours of October 2, 2003, Nicolle Hands—a 32-year-old, single mother of three—was brutally attacked in her third-floor apartment on Mountain Avenue in Winnipeg, while her children and their babysitter slept in the next room. Awakened by noises at 3:30 a.m., while walking through the apartment, her eldest son and the babysitter stumbled upon a horrific scene: a man standing over Nicolle with his hands around her neck. The attacker fled, leaving Nicolle with life-threatening stab wounds. Despite being rushed to hospital, she died three days later, surrounded by her family.
Nicolle Katherine Hands, born around 1971, was a proud member of Lac Seul First Nation in northwestern Ontario. She and her brother were lovingly raised by their adoptive parents, in Red Lake and later Kingston, Ontario. Nicolle aspired to be a social worker and relocated to Thunder Bay, Ontario, to study in the Native Counseling Service Program at Confederation College.
However, in the early 1990s, before completing her final year, she moved to Winnipeg with hopes of finishing her education there—but life got in the way. After moving to Winnipeg, she began struggling with substance abuse, a challenge that made her vulnerable and drew her into risky social circles. Despite these hardships, Nicolle remained devoted to her three children and is remembered by her family as a caring mother who dreamed of a better future.
Investigation
The investigation into Nicolle’s murder was long and hampered by setbacks. Following her death, police were unable to identify the killer, although they suspected it was someone Nicolle knew—an individual who had been seen in her apartment in the weeks leading up to the attack. The case was further complicated by the realities of Nicolle’s life in Winnipeg. Her struggle with addiction and her connections to the drug trade meant that many people in her circle didn't want to speak with investigators, either out of fear or mistrust of authorities. This reluctance to come forward left investigators with few leads and hindered the path to justice for Nicolle. The case soon went cold.
It wasn’t until 2012—nine years after the murder—that Project Devote, a joint RCMP–Winnipeg Police Service task force dedicated to cold cases involving vulnerable and exploited persons, took over Nicolle’s case.
Arrest
After years of renewed efforts, the task force arrested a Winnipeg man in March 2020 in connection with the murder. However, he was released without charges after questioning, as there was not enough evidence to proceed with prosecution at that time. The suspect in Nicolle Hands’ murder died in late 2023. This development was a significant blow to both her family and investigators.
Despite the suspect’s death, the case remains open in hopes of providing answers for Nicolle’s loved ones.
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