RCMP are now investigating the death of a 19-year-old from Thompson, as a homicide.

On Sept., 9, 2015, RCMP sent out a release asking for assistance in locating missing Nicholas Brophy.

Brophy was last seen the evening of Sept., 8, 2015 in Thompson, about 760 km north of Winnipeg.

RCMP said the investigation has remained active into the search for Brophy since his disappearance. They said multiple comprehensive searches were done alongside the community.

On April 26, 2016, human remains were discovered by RCMP investigators in an area outside Thompson, which they identified as those of Brophy’s.

The family of the teen has been actively searching for him since his disappearance, turning to social media to help get the word out.

Ashleigh Brophy, Nicholas’ sister, shared numerous posts about her missing brother.







In November 2015, a $20,000 reward was put up in order to help find new information about Brophy's whereabouts. Earlier this week, the reward was increased to $50,000.



RCMP said the family has asked for privacy as the investigation continues.

Community of Thompson in shock



Thompson Mayor Dennis Fenske says news of Brophy’s death being a homicide is being met with shock.

“It’s a shock anytime a 19-year-old loses a life. We don’t have a whole of information so anytime something like this happens it’s a shock to our small town,” he said.

“This is not the result we were looking for,” said Fenske. “It’s one of our family members. A family has suffered tragic loss.”

The mayor said the news is especially hard because the family and community were holding out hope Brophy would be found after $50,000 reward was offered for information leading to help bring Brophy home.

Fenske says he sends condolences to the family, and hopes everyone can work through the tragedy.

He says he didn’t know the teen directly but from everything he heard a Brophy was great kid with a bright future, calling his death “a cut life extremely short.”

The mayor commended the support from the community in the search over the past eight months.

Fenske said right from the get-go when he went missing people held vigils, there was support from the community, and many organizations pulled together.

He said he’s looking forward to seeing the investigation progresses and hopes justice in the case will be served.