GoFundMe started for Manitoulin murder victim's children

A Sudbury woman who lives next door to the children of a man police say was murdered in Wikwemikong on Manitoulin Island over the weekend has started a GoFundMe fundraising drive to benefit the family.

The Ontario Provincial Police reported that on May 17, an altercation in a home on Andrew Crescent ended in the death of Percy (Junior) Simon, 33.

Now facing charges of second-degree murder are Robert Travis Wemigwans, 31, and Tammy Trudeau, 43, both of Wikwemikong, as well as Byron Kagige, 56, of Hamilton.

All three are being held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on May 25.

A post-mortem examination was to be performed yesterday in Sudbury on the victim.

The Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) North East Region Crime Unit, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) Acting Detective Inspector Gilles Depratto, are currently investigating and treating the death as a homicide.

The OPP Forensic Identification Unit (FISU) is also providing assistance in regards to this incident, which occurred at approximately 6:45 a.m. between the occupants of the residence.

On May 19, Sudbury resident Tanya Simpson started a fundraising drive on the website GoFundMe to raise funds to benefit his children. She contacted NorthernLife.ca.

The following is from Simpson's description included with the fundraising info on the site:

On May 17, 2015 on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Percy Simon was viciously stabbed several times and then left in a ditch, where he died.

Percy leaves behind four beautiful children and their mother. The children are 14, 11, 5 and 1.5. We live next to this family and have really loved watching the kids grow up. They are great children.

Our son is very best friends with the little boy, who is 5, and his heart is broken for his friend who lost his daddy.

I would like to help Joanie and the children out in any way I can. If you can donate anything that would be wonderful and if you can't just your prayers to them through this difficult time is also appreciated.

Warmest thank you on behalf of Joanie and the children.

Visit the GoFundMe account here.