THUNDER BAY -- The death of 17-year-old Braiden Jacob is being investigated as a homicide.
The Thunder Bay Police Service on Thursday confirmed they believe the Webequie First Nation teen, whose body was found at Chapples Park on Sunday, was the victim of foul play.
"The criminal investigations branch, along with other branches within the service, have engaged in several leads in several locations both inside and outside of Thunder Bay," acting deputy chief Don Lewis said, adding it's possible the scope of the investigation could extend beyond Northwestern Ontario but can't say whether the case is related to southern Ontario gang activity.
"There are names that have been put forward and those leads are being followed."
Lewis said it's possible the scope of the investigation could extend beyond Northwestern Ontario.
The body had signs of trauma when it was found, Lewis confirmed, though he would not elaborate or provide the cause of death.
An autopsy was conducted in Toronto on Thursday prior to the police service's update. Lewis said a Thunder Bay police investigator was present at the post-mortem.
Jacob, who was said to have been in the city to receive counselling services, was reported missing on Dec. 6 when he failed to return to his Victoria Inn hotel room. He was last reported to have been seen in the early morning hours of Dec. 6 at the Limbrick Street area.
The case is the city's eighth reported murder of 2018.
