Facebook Live Death Video, Allegedly Of Serena McKay Murder, Remained Online, Canadian Police Say

The brutal killing of a young woman was likely filmed and uploaded to Facebook Sunday. By Wednesday, there was doubt whether the footage had been scrubbed from the social media outlet.

Serena McKay, a 19-year-old Native American from Sagkeeng First Nation, was linked to the video, but police didn’t confirm that she was the woman seen being beaten in the footage. “We haven’t provided any update as far as any connections being in the video,” Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Sgt. Paul Manaigre told International Business Times in a phone interview Wednesday.

READ: Facebook Live Killing Update? Serena McKay Death Ruled A Homicide

While Facebook didn’t immediately respond to IBT for comment, Canadian police said they had been in touch with the social media platform. “The officers involved in the investigation are in contact with Facebook to ascertain if the video is still there,” Manaigre told IBT.

If the video remained online, Manaigre said it would eventually be removed. The problem that Facebook confronted at this point in the investigation was that the video was being spread through Facebook messenger, which makes it harder for the company to remove, the officer said.

“I’ve been personally given links and then it’s dead [when I click on it]. I’m hoping that means it has been removed, but it’s hard to tell,” Manaigre said.

As IBT previously reported, McKay’s death, which occurred near near Winnipeg, Canada, was ruled a homicide by police. Further details about her death were not given, but the video appeared to show two women beating her. The victim continuously said she was “sorry,” pleading with her attackers, as blood streamed from her nose.

The assailants, ages 16 and 17, have not been identified; they have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

“I can't imagine what the family, the community is going through right now. This is a 19-year-old female; this is someone's child, cousin, niece, sister. They're in shock, they're grieving over her loss and they're trying to come to terms with it,” Manaigre told CBC News Tuesday. “The internet, being what it is today, we have to be careful ... what we do. Everything is being put out there. It can be dangerous.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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