8 years after Jennifer Hillier-Penney disappeared, the search for her remains drags on

A grieving community marked the suspected murder of one St. Anthony, N.L., woman a little differently this year, turning on their porch lights rather than the usual custom: holding a vigil in her name.

For the family of Jennifer Hillier-Penney, it was needed respite amid a continuing police investigation and ongoing court proceedings for her alleged killer.

"With so much happening in the trial, in the search, we figured this year we would just take a little break from what we've been doing for the last seven years," said Gary Hillier, the woman's brother.

Hillier-Penney disappeared without a trace eight years ago, on Nov. 30, 2016.

For much of that time, the family feared her case would grow cold. But last year, the RCMP announced they'd gathered sufficient evidence for a first-degree murder charge against Hillier-Penney's estranged husband, Dean Penney.

That was the moment, for Hillier, the dark clouds began to part.

"Last year's ceremony I went to, I said, 'I can't do this. No more … these ceremonies are too hard,'" Hillier said. "We were kind of in despair, but just two weeks later it was his arrest. So everything started to change from that point on."

Penney is maintaining his innocence, and entered a not guilty plea in Corner Brook Supreme Court last week. But the prospect of an upcoming trial hasn't quieted Hillier's hunger for answers.

The family was "elated" when they heard of Penney's arrest, Hillier said.

"We felt like the case wasn't moving along at all, but after … the arrest, we started getting bits and pieces of information on how they did work in the last eight years," he said.

"We were really pleased with the efforts [the major crimes unit] put into this case."

The RCMP hasn't stopped its underwater search for Hillier-Penney's remains. It's zeroed in on a patch of ocean near St. Anthony.

In a statement, the force confirmed its underwater recovery team was currently combing the sea floor near Hare Island alongside the Canadian Armed Forces, and would remain in the area until the search was complete.

Hillier said the search picked up again last week, and has been told divers are looking for evidence nearly 200 feet down.