The murder of Steinbach man Gerhard Reimer-Wiebe has shocked a pastor and friend who knew him well. 

Terry Thiessen fondly, referring to the deceased as 'George' says he remembers a kind-hearted young gentleman.

"George was a very kind-hearted and compassionate individual, very full of life and a lot of character," he comments.

Thiessen is the Pastor of Community for Adult & Teen Challenge (ATC) of Central Canada and knew Reimer-Wiebe both inside and outside of the program.

"He grew a lot of character as well while he was with us," he shares. "As is the case with everyone that comes into our program, there were some things that he clearly needed to work through in his life."

Altogether, Reimer-Wiebe spent a year at the ATC program in Winnipeg and, according to Thiessen, "he came out a much deeper and well-rounded individual when he was done".

Reimer-Wiebe was recently identified as the victim of homicide after his body was discovered in Portage la Prairie at the end of June. Police had worked for weeks before confirming his identity in July. The investigation has now moved to Winnipeg where police are searching through the rubble of a house fire believed to be connected to the case.

of tragedy."