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UPDATE: Human remains discovered belong to missing teen, OPP confirm

KENORA, Ont. - A body found Tuesday morning has been identified as 16-year-old Delaine Copenace, who had been missing since late February. Kenora municipal workers discovered the human remains shortly after 8 a.m.
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KENORA, Ont. - A body found Tuesday morning has been identified as 16-year-old Delaine Copenace, who had been missing since late February.

Kenora municipal workers discovered the human remains shortly after 8 a.m. in Lake of the Woods at the end of Water Street.

The coroner and OPP investigators were called to the scene and the identity of the body was released to the media in the early afternoon.

The teen had been missing since the evening of Feb. 28, when she was last seen in the downtown area.

A post-mortem examination will be conducted in Toronto on a date to be determined.

The cause of death has not been disclosed.

The investigation, which is being conducted by the OPP's criminal investigations branch and forensic identification services unit, is ongoing. 

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Depty Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum issed a statement on behalf of the executive council later in the afternoon.

“Words cannot describe the grief we feel over the tragic loss of this young woman and our thoughts and prayers are with Delaine’s family, friends, Onigaming First Nation and the Kenora community at this difficult time," the statement reads.

"We do not yet know the circumstances surrounding her disappearance but this sad loss only strengthens our resolve to do everything possible to protect our youth and ensure that the scope of such disappearances are fully investigated.”





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