Location: Dauphin, MB
Date of birth: 1953
Diane’s Date of death: March 13, 2007
Diane was a well-known local business owner who operated Thunder’s Country Restaurant and Saloon in Dauphin. She was found shot to death in the bedroom of her large, two-storey, red-brick home just south of Dauphin, on the northern edge of picturesque Riding Mountain National Park, located just outside the city, at approximately 11:15 pm. The RCMP confirmed she was shot while she slept. The murder weapon was never recovered despite extensive searches of the surrounding fields.
The main suspect was her husband, Alex Paul, who was the Mayor of Dauphin at the time, who discovered her body. He was arrested and questioned shortly after the killing but was unconditionally released without charges 24 hours later. The RCMP said they didn’t have sufficient evidence and could no longer legally detain him.
As RCMP expanded their probe, they asked Diane’s two sons along with her niece to submit to polygraph tests. All three agreed, and said they were specifically asked if they killed Diane Paul, which they denied.
Sgt. Steve Saunders told the Free Press at the time all three were considered witnesses, not suspects, based on the results.
Alex Paul consistently maintained his innocence and passed a private polygraph test, though he eventually lost his mayoral seat in 2010 amid the ongoing shadow of the investigation. Alex’s lawyer, Richard Wolson said, ‘It was against my advice. But I believe the family pressure got to him. He absolutely, categorically denies any involvement and is mourning the loss of his wife’.
Alex Paul passed away on July 21, 2020, at the age of 78, without ever being charged or officially cleared.
The Manitoba RCMP Major Crimes Unit continues to seek information. In 2023, on the 16th anniversary of her death, they renewed their plea for public assistance.
If you have any information on Diane’s case, please contact any of the following:
Dauphin RCMP: (204) 622-5020
Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477)
Online at: https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tip
Crime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping
Sources: Manitoba Crime Stoppers, Winnipeg Free Press, CBC
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