The Unsolved Murder of Jana Noella Williams

Case reference: C21-49918
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Date of birth: March 5, 1992
Jana’s remains were located: March 4, 2021

Jana was a mother of three and a member of the Hollow Water First Nation.

On March 4, 2021, at 5:59 pm, members of the Winnipeg Police Service responded to Main Street and Alfred Avenue for a report that possible human remains had been found in the area. Jana’s body was found inside a suitcase discarded near the intersection of Main Street and Alfred Avenue, close to the Red River. Police believe she was killed elsewhere and her remains were later moved to this location. Jana’s cause of death has not been publicly released, however her case is being investigated as a homicide.

Jana was six months pregnant at the time of her death. Her unborn child was later named “Hummingbird” by her family. Law enforcement stated that Jana had been living a “transient” lifestyle in the two weeks leading up to her death. They appealed to the houseless community and shelter workers for information regarding her whereabouts during that period.

Jana’s mother, Charlene Williams, has been a vocal advocate, frequently expressing frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation and fear that her daughter’s case has been “swept under the rug”.

Annual vigils and marches are held in Winnipeg to honor her memory and demand justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In March 2025, a memorial bench decorated with hummingbirds was dedicated to her and her unborn child

If you have any information on Jana’s case, please contact any of the following:
Winnipeg Police Service: (204) 986-6508

Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477)
Online at: https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tip
Crime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping

Source: Winnipeg Police Service

Note: I am including this photo because it was originally posted by Winnipeg Police Service. They believe that this was the most recent photo taken of Jana and it would be likely that someone may remember seeing her looking like this.