Charges imminent in N.B. teen's death: RCMP
Last Updated: Thursday, November 19, 2009 | 8:11 PM AT
CBC News
RCMP Insp. Roch Fortin says people who misled police in the investigation are also facing charges. (CBC)Charges are imminent in the death of 16-year-old Hilary Bonnell, RCMP said Thursday as hundreds of people attended the teen's funeral in Esgenoopetitj First Nation.
Police continue to build a case against the primary suspect, who is in custody, and possibly others, said Insp. Roch Fortin.
They are waiting for autopsy and laboratory results before laying charges, he said. "We just need to determine if there's one or more individuals involved."
Charges are also pending against people who gave false tips that led police in the wrong direction early in the investigation, Fortin said.
Bonnell's body was found buried in a wooded area near Tracadie-Sheila, N.B., last week. She had disappeared on Sept. 5 from the Esgenoopetitj First Nation, commonly known as Burnt Church, in northeastern New Brunswick.
Hilary Bonnell's mother, Pamela Fillier, stroked her daughter's casket with an eagle feather during the funeral Thursday. (CBC)The service Thursday started with a solemn procession to St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church, accompanied by traditional aboriginal drumming.
Hundreds of friends, family and people from the community, along with several dignitaries — including band chiefs from across the Maritimes — were packed into the small church and spilled onto the steps and into the yard.
"I know at these times, often we're searching for answers because the questions are many," said Lt.-Gov. Graydon Nicholas, addressing the crowd. "But I want to assure you that through our faith and our prayers, the answers will come," he said.
"The love will be there. And the beautiful life that she lived will continue. And her spirit will guide and protect and watch over us."
During much of the service, Bonnell's mother, Pamela Fillier, clutched an eagle feather and stroked the casket as Rev. Alison Mahoney called for peace and no more sorrow for the community.
"Now, what we have to do is go through a process of healing and get the community back together again," said band council spokesman Alex Dedam, who attended the service.
"I know the chief and council is very concerned that we move ahead, that we don't allow this to fracture us, that we continue to move ahead."
Hundreds of people packed the small St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church in the First Nations community of Esgenoopetitj to celebrate Bonnell's life. (CBC)Mourners cried and comforted one another during the emotional service, many of them wearing purple, the teen's favourite colour.
They also received a purple ribbon attached to a program, which had a poem on it that read: "We will be together forever wherever we are. Do not cry for me, my darlings, for I have not gone far."
People started gathering at the church, which holds roughly 250 people, hours before the funeral started at about 2 p.m. AT.
The community set up a tent outside the church to accommodate additional people who showed up to pay their respects.
"I hope that the family and the community of Esgenoopetitj know that all the 15 First Nations are there to support them," said Chief Jesse Simon of Elsibogtog First Nation.
He said it was a sombre day for the community, but there was also a sense of relief that Hilary is home. "There's no sense of anger, more of hope and the idea of moving on," said Simon.
"It's easy for me to say that, but it's hard for the family."
'I got to hold my baby'
A wake took place Wednesday at the home of Esgenoopetitj First Nation Chief Wilbur Dedam.
Chad Augustine, a relative, attempted to sum up the community's mood while tending to a sacred fire, which was lit on the day Hilary's body was found and continued to burn during the wake.
"Everyone's sad, heartbroken, exhausted," he said.
Pamela Fillier says she had one small solace amid her grief: 'I got to hold her body,' she said at her daughter's wake Wednesday. (CBC)That heartbreak was especially wrenching for Fillier, who had made public appeals for her daughter to be returned throughout the time she was missing.
"Right now, we have to focus on sending Hilary to a better place," she said at the wake Wednesday.
"We have to pray for God to open the gates of heaven and welcome my baby girl in."
Despite terrible circumstances, Fillier said that she was glad to have her daughter home with her again.
"I got to hold her body. I got to hold my baby again," she said.
"I said I wouldn't stop till I had my daughter in my arms. I held my daughter in my arms."
Fillier said she doesn't want her daughter to be forgotten and wants a youth centre to be built in the northern community to give children and teens a safe place to go.
