Manitoba First Nation cancels classes after Teresa Robinson killing

Classes in a Northern Manitoba First Nation have been cancelled following the killing of an 11-year-old girl.

Teresa Robinson's body was found in the community on May 11. Initially, community members believed she had been mauled by an animal, but RCMP later said the girl was a homicide victim.

"The school has been shut down for search and recovery efforts," said ManitobaKeewatinowiOkimakanakGrand Chief David Harper.

• Teresa Robinson's community continues search for her remains
• Teresa Robinson death: Homicide not ruled out,RCMPsay
• Mauling victim's disappearance not reported to Mounties for 3 days

The girl was reported missing to police on May 11but had disappeared after going to a birthday party in Garden Hill on May 5.

Harper said all of the community's efforts this week are focused onsearching for the girl's partial remains.

"There's been an overwhelming support from people from Ontario [and] surrounding communities coming into town," said Harper.

He said about 300 people alone came from St. Theresa Point to help search.

"Because of the overwhelming support of people, the school gym is usedas a place for all out of town volunteers to go eat for breakfast,lunch and supper," said Harper. "The school bus shelter is [being] used as a commandcentre, and buses are transporting the volunteers from [and] to the searchsite."

On May 15, RCMP said they were still unable to positively identify the girls' remains, though they believed they belonged to Robinson. RCMP also said at the time aspects of the autopsy were ongoing.

"Our focus right now is to find the remains of little Teresa," said Harper. "It really affects the family and the community as a whole .. We really to want this investigation to pick up speed."

It is not known when classes in the community will resume.