Winnipeg police say family dispute led to arson that killed two women

WINNIPEG — Winnipeg police have made an arrest after two women died in a house fire that investigators say was set on purpose over the weekend.

Police identified the victims as at 18-year-old Tyanaa Nattaway and 48-year-old Crystal Mary Ellen Beardy.

Both were from the remote community of Garden Hill Anisininew Nation in northeastern Manitoba but had been living in Winnipeg.

Police say there was a dispute Saturday between family members at the two-storey home in the St. Matthews neighbourhood, west of downtown, and a fire was set on the porch.

There were 19 people in the home at the time, and some escaped while others were helped to safety.

Douglas Wayne Jr. Nattaway, 30, faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of arson disregarding human life.

The accused was related to both victims, police said Wednesday. He has been detained in custody.

“It’s miraculous that there were not more injuries and/or fatalities in this incident,” Const. Claude Chancy told a press conference.

Five people, including the two who died, were transported to hospital. One who was in critical condition has been upgraded to stable condition. The two others were transported in stable condition.

The fire department said it took crews nearly five hours to get the blaze under control and neighbouring homes were evacuated.

Chancy said it’s rare for murder charges to be laid in an arson investigation, although there have been some recent cases.

In September 2024, two people died in a building fire in the city’s St. John’s neighbourhood. A suspect was charged with second-degree murder.

An accused was also charged with second-degree murder after two people died while trying to flee an apartment fire in December 2022.

“This is not the way to settle any kind of dispute, whether it’s verbal, whether it’s physical, certainly not by setting fire to a residence,” said Chancy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2026.

The Canadian Press