By Joanne Rodgers, Bruce Peninsula Press
A reward of $100,000 is being offered for information on the whereabouts of Juanita Ashley Migwans, known to her family as Winnie. It is now known that Winnie went missing on 4 October 2024 on M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island. The reward is being offered by the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin Anishinabek Police Service (UCCM) and the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Winnie last seen on 4 October, then disappeared
The Ashcroft family of Lion’s Head say they had a spark of hope when they found out that the last known sighting of Winnie was 2 days later than originally reported.
Winnie’s aunt, Marydale Ashcroft, says through information unearthed due to the family’s own efforts, they now know that Winnie went to a friend’s home the night of October 2 around 10:00 p.m. On the same evening she was picked up by a taxi and dropped off at Hill St Apartments. On October 4, Winnie was seen walking along Riverside Dr. at 5 p.m. Then she seemingly vanished in “thin air”, with no leads to date.
The question on Marydale’s mind is “where was Winnie from October 2 to October 4 and where did she go from Riverside Dr?”
The Ashcroft family wants it to be clear, Winnie would not have left on her own accord. She had a good relationship with her mom on Manitoulin and her dad here in Lion’s Head. Understandably, her family is devastated that there have been no leads to date, but they stand firm in their goal to “bring Winnie home.”
$100,000 reward offered in hope to encourage information
Marydale says she asked her OPP liaison why they are directing such a large sum of money as a reward for Winnie, given there are so many other missing women in the province and throughout Canada. She was told in many cases there is usually some kind of lead, in Winnie’s case – no information.
The investigation has been ongoing with the OPP and UCCM knocking on doors, handing out posters and revisiting the area Winnie was last seen.
Marydale pleads for the sake of her family, and/or if this would have happened to your family, to “please come forward if you know something, saw something, overheard a conversation. Like we keep saying, someone knows!!! If you know, please call the TIP line.”
The Ashcrofts thank everyone for their ongoing support – the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service, OPP, Carol Hughes (MP), all media outlets and the social media army that have kept her face in the spotlight for months.
Marydale calls on her “Winnie’s Warriors” to print the reward poster and put it up at gas stations, convenience stores, etc, to get the word out for this reward!” Marydale asks that this information be plastered on all social media platforms, as maybe this reward will encourage someone to come forward.
The Ashcrofts state that “if Winnie is alive, she could be a victim of human/sex trafficking and/or could be anywhere. It might take just one person to recognize her and report it to the police. If Winnie is deceased, then maybe this reward money will be what is needed for someone to come forward with information.”
“Every single person who goes missing matters. There are so many. We have been fortunate that the case of Winnie’s (Juanita’s) disappearance has been widely publicized and shared and has gotten national attention.” states Marydale.
Billboards and enhanced social media campaign
The Ashcrofts will give it two weeks, hoping to get answers. If there are still no leads, they plan to use the momentum created by the posting of the large reward to use billboards in strategic locations to increase awareness. They will also be ramping up their social media campaign with the help of paid social media influencers.
To Help Bring Winnie Home:
When you are sharing Winnie’s post please add #winnieswarriors it helps in a social media world.
Anyone with any information related to this investigation or the whereabouts of Juanita Migwans is urged to contact the Manitoulin OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or the dedicated tip-line at 1-833-941-9010. UCCM at 1-705-337-7135.
If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
The case reference number is RM24000551.
