Richard Joseph Tssessaze was 37 when he went missing after traveling to Winnipeg on June 14, 2009, from his girlfriend’s home in Brandon. His last confirmed sighting was June 26, 2009, in downtown Winnipeg near the St. Regis Hotel on Smith Street. He had left his identification behind and had recently suffered head trauma that may have left him disoriented.

A respected band councillor for the Northlands Denesuline First Nation and a father of four, Richard was known as responsible and communicative; he did not collect his end-of-June paycheque, suggesting he had no money. He is described as an Indigenous male, six feet tall, about 161 pounds with a heavy build, black hair and brown eyes, and scars near his mouth, on his forehead, and on his left forearm. Community searches and a candlelight vigil were held, but no trace has been found.

Anyone who saw Richard in Winnipeg in late June 2009 or has information about his movements is asked to come forward.