Ontario Provincial Police have confirmed the discovery of human remains belonging to a 26-year-old man from Ottawa in a remote area east of North Bay.
Discovery in Remote Township
According to the North Bay detachment of the OPP, officers responded to a report of suspected human remains on December 28, 2025. The location was north of Cedar Lake within the townships of Head, Clara and Maria. This region is situated along the Ottawa River on the northern boundary of Algonquin Park.
On Tuesday, December 30, police formally identified the deceased as Hakim Muhikira, 26, of Ottawa. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is ongoing.
Police Investigation Underway
In a news release issued Tuesday, the OPP stated that "foul play has not been ruled out" in their investigation. Constable Kyler Brouwer of the North Bay OPP reiterated this point in a follow-up communication.
The police also sought to reassure the public, indicating that "preliminary information suggests that there are no signs of a broader threat" to community safety. The OPP did not immediately confirm whether Muhikira had been formally reported as a missing person prior to the discovery.
Appeal for Information
Investigators are urging anyone with information that could assist the case to come forward. The police have provided two primary channels for tips:
- Contact the North Bay OPP directly at 1-888-310-1122.
- To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
The discovery has cast a pall over the end of the year, as authorities work to determine how the young Ottawa man came to be in the remote township and what led to his death.
