Domestic Violence, Four Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and a Suspected Serial Killer

Jeremy Anthony Michael Skibicki is Headed for Trial and His Victims are Headed for Justice

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In 2019, on the first anniversary of her marriage, Erin Leszkovics received the best gift she could imagine; a three-year restraining order against her unpredictable control freak of a husband. She had spent a year living in hell with thirty-five-year-old Jeremy Anthony Michael Skibicki, who could fly into a rage over the slightest infraction of his "rules." He controlled her cell phone, monitored and restricted her movement, and beat her so often and hard that she still suffers from migraines and double-vision.

Skibicki also had scary sexual interests. He shared with Erin his fantasies of raping and choking her to death. On several occasions, he held a pillow over her face. And he forced her to take "bed meds," pills that knocked her out. He liked to rape her while she slept. 

Erin was terrified; things were bad and getting worse. She had called the police several times, but nothing fazed him. But finally, after months, in September of 2019, she got some help; a judge believed she had good reason to be afraid and ordered Skibicki to stay away from her for three years. Furious, Skibicki tried to get the restraining order overturned, but - fortunately - he had no luck. 

Slaps on the Wrist for Serious Assault

When Skibicki violated the restraining order in 2021, Erin took him to court. He was charged with assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, and uttering threats in January 2021. She was both furious and terrified when he was found not guilty eleven months later. "Sooner or later, Erin thought, he's going to kill someone." She thought it would be her. 

This was not the first time a woman believed Skibicki would murder her. In June 2015, three years before Erin's year of terror began, Skibicki was convicted of assaulting his pregnant common-law partner after grabbing her hair, punching her in the face several times, and attempting to strangle her. He threatened to kill her if she called the police. 

That woman had applied for a protection order against Skibicki earlier that same year. She wrote, "Jeremy has admitted fantasizing about raping me and then choking me to death.… He had smothered me so bad my teeth started to bleed . . . I'm afraid he won't stop until I'm dead." The application for the protection order was denied. 

He spent only two months behind bars and two years on probation for all the hurt and fear he caused his ex-partner. Fortunately, the probation conditions after his assault conviction required him to stay away from her for two years. Unfortunately, he moved on to Erin. And then, according to investigators, serial murder. 

Preying on the Vulnerable

Erin was struggling mentally and physically when she met Skibicki in February of 2018 at Siloam Mission. This Christian humanitarian organization helps people down on their luck get back on their feet. Many of the people who go there are battling drug or alcohol dependency. They are often in and out of shelters. Erin was standing outside waiting for a warm bed when Skibicki and a few friends showed up. 

It's unclear what Skibicki was doing at the mission since he had a permanent place to stay. Erin didn't think much about it at the time. He was charming and friendly and invited her to stay at his apartment, which she did. The two of them hit it off, and it wasn't long before they married. Erin said her wedding vows while high on crystal meth.

But despite the odds stacked against her, Erin was the one who got away. She's been sober for almost two years and is in school. She wants to help people whose voices have been drowned with alcohol or distorted by drugs find them again. But, if the current charges against Skibicki are accurate, four other women weren't so lucky. Prosecutors say that Skibicki is Canada's latest serial killer.

From Domestic Violence to Serial Murder

Between March and May of 2022, four Indigenous women were savagely murdered. On May 16, a passerby stumbled on the partial remains of twenty-four-year-old Rebecca Contois behind an apartment building not far from Skibicki's home. While living in Winnipeg, she was a Crane River First Nation member. Investigators have said Skibicki and Contois knew each other but have not disclosed their relationship's nature.  

 But investigators don't believe she was the first or only victim. Morgan Beatrice Harris, 39, was killed around May 1, and a third, Marcedes Myran, 26, was killed around May 4. Both women were from Long Plain First Nation, a reserve about 55 miles west of Winnipeg. Family members had previously reported each woman as missing. A fourth victim - actually the first to go missing - is still unidentified. Investigators believe she is a young Indigenous woman in her mid-twenties. 

We don't yet know how these women were killed or why. Skibicki was arrested on May 18. He has denied all charges. But police say that DNA has linked him to the murders and that they have sufficient evidence to charge him. 

Are These Hate Crimes?

Skibicki's history of violence suggests he has plenty of hate, especially toward women. But, if he is guilty of the charges, why did he kill Indigenous women? Was he targeting them because of their heritage? 

During their investigation, investigators uncovered a Facebook page filled with rantings against women, Jews, trans people, and other marginalized groups. He seems to identify with white supremacy; he posted about holocaust denial and uploaded photos of himself with The Iron Cross – a famous German military medal-turned-Nazi symbol in the 1930s. His profile also lists an affiliation with the Alliance of Patriotic Parallel Movements of European Folks, or "Holy Europe," a far-right organization that aims to restore Christian Europe, preserve racial-biological identity, and restore patriarchy.

There is a lengthy and well-documented history of institutional indifference toward missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. A 2019 national inquiry found that perpetrators of violence often targeted Indigenous women and girls because they could get away with it. The perception among many perpetrators was that, even if it went to court, the consequences would be minimal. Investigators believe it is too early to say whether Skibicki targeted these women because of their ethnic identity or because he thought no one with any authority would investigate or care about what happened to them. I don’t know which would be worse.

The Bottom Line

Four families are left to struggle with their grief and hope for justice. Much work must be done to restore trust in the investigators responsible for holding those who prey on Indigenous women responsible. 

Based on this alleged serial killer's history of violence against his former partners, it is clear that much work must be done to protect all Canadian women from violence; we have a long way to go here in the States, too. 

I am an optimist by nature. It is heartening to see the voices of Indigenous activists and family members protesting the recent decision not to search a landfill where the remains of the three still-missing women may be because the odds of finding them are low. These voices would have once stayed silent - or ignored. Today, they are garnering support.

It is encouraging to see the light being shined on injustices that were once hidden; insight is a baby step toward behavior change. I can understand, though, the cynicism of some who have expressed skepticism that the huge national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women that was once heralded as groundbreaking has led to greater safety or security. Let’s pray that’s not the case and hope that the uneven wheels of justice are turning slowly but surely.

The successful prosecution of the serial killer of these four women would be another step - whether it's Skibicki or not. But it’s heartbreaking to think that tragedies are still needed before eyes are opened and ears listen.

As always, thanks for reading. So many issues in this case; I’d love your feedback. Please share with your true-crime-loving friends.