Charlene Ward

Charlene Ward was a spunky, outgoing woman with a ready smile who loved her grandchildren more than anything. At 46 years old, the female resident of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, had been given a second chance at life after being cleared of breast cancer in May 2007. Her sister said she was living life to the fullest, working at Tim Hortons and cherishing her time with her five grandchildren. Remembered as a kind-hearted people person, Charlene was part of a close family, and her sudden death left a void that her loved ones still feel acutely years later.

On the evening of October 31, 2007, Charlene finished her shift at work and went out with friends to the Cat & Fiddle Nite Club in Portage la Prairie. Later that night, the group returned to her home on 5th Avenue NE to continue socializing. The gathering lasted into the morning, ending around 8:00 a.m. on November 1. Only 45 minutes later, at 8:45 a.m., Charlene’s daughter and granddaughter made a devastating discovery: they found Charlene deceased inside the residence. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were called to the scene and quickly determined her death was a homicide. A later report confirmed she had been stabbed to death.

The investigation into Charlene's murder was launched immediately by the Portage la Prairie RCMP and was eventually taken over by the RCMP Historical Case Unit. For years, the case saw few public developments. Charlene’s father, Wilfred Lake, made a painful pilgrimage to the local RCMP detachment on her birthday every year to ask for updates, a ritual he continued until his death in April 2016. He died, his family said, with a broken heart, never getting the closure he so desperately sought.

In May 2017, nearly a decade after the killing, a tip led investigators to make an arrest. Police took Charlene’s 30-year-old daughter, Britney Lake, into custody in MacGregor, Manitoba. The development sent a shockwave through the family, who struggled to believe one of their own could be responsible. However, Lake was released the following day without any charges being filed. Police explained that while there might be enough information to make an arrest, it does not always mean there is sufficient evidence to proceed with charges, and that being released does not necessarily clear someone of suspicion.

The arrest and subsequent release created a painful rift within the family. Charlene’s other daughter, Cherie Barrault, expressed deep frustration and disappointment with the lack of progress and communication from investigators. She said the unresolved nature of the case and the arrest of her sister had torn her family apart, leaving her feeling as though she had lost not only her mother but her sister and other relatives as well. "There’s no healing and there’s no answers," Barrault said in 2022. Charlene’s sister, Donna Wettlaufer, echoed the sentiment, stating, "Each day and each year that passes it's getting tougher and tougher because you always wonder 'who did it?'"

As of November 2022, the RCMP Historical Case Unit confirmed that Charlene Ward's murder remains an open and active investigation. No charges have ever been laid in connection with her death. Investigators continue to ask for the public’s help, believing that someone holds the key to bringing justice to Charlene and her family.

Anyone with information that could assist in solving this homicide is asked to contact the RCMP tip line at 204-984-6447 or to remain anonymous, call Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Secure tips can also be submitted online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or by texting “TIPMAN” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).