Slain Winnipeg woman knew her killer, police say

Toronto police say the shooting death of a Winnipeg woman last month was not a random act and was unrelated to any work in the sex trade.

Det.-Sgt. Brian Borg said Friday police believe Leanne Freeman, 23, was killed last month in Toronto by someone she knew.

“I do not believe that this was a random event," said Borg. “I believe that whoever is responsible for Leanne’s murder is someone that she knew. Nothing has been ruled out and everything is being considered by the investigative team.”

Freeman was found unconscious and bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head in the early morning hours on Nov. 29. She was found in the Port Lands, an isolated industrial area on the eastern edge of downtown Toronto.

Borg says some of Freeman's clothing and personal effects were found last Friday in a commercial dumpster on Kingston Road, about a 20-minute drive from where she was found.

Borg says the items found in the dumpster were put there by whomever killed Freeman, shortly after she was shot.

He would not provide details on what was found or say if police have gleaned information from security video.

Earlier this month police said Freeman, who was also known as Amanda Freeman, was a sex-trade worker with a history of drug use.

However, Borg said Friday he doesn't believe selling sex had anything to do with her homicide.

Freeman's friends who come to her makeshift memorial — which includes a framed picture, a Teddy bear, and several candles — say Freeman was a warm and caring person who was battling an addiction to crystal meth.

Freeman's sister and two brothers are travelling to Toronto from Winnipeg to plan her funeral. They are expected to arrive Saturday.