Arrest of suspect in 2007 killing of Métis woman 'lightens the load' for family, brings hope for other MMIWG
CBC
Dozens gathered around a sacred fire in Winnipeg's North End on Tuesday to remember a Métis woman found dead over a decade ago, after a suspect was arrested in connection with her death.
Crystal Saunders, 24, was last seen getting into a vehicle at the corner of Sargent Avenue and Sherbrook Street in Winnipeg on April 18, 2007.
The next morning, an off-duty police officer found the woman's remains in a ditch near St. Ambroise, a community about 80 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.
Her killing remained unsolved for years, but 42-year-old Kevin Charles Queau was linked to Saunders's death thanks to advancements in DNA technology, Manitoba RCMP revealed Monday.
Cynthia Roulette, grandmother of Saunders's first cousin, told gatherers around the fire that her family never thought the day would come.
"It doesn't bring her back to us, but it lightens the load in our heart, and we know she's at peace," she said.
"Rest in peace, Crystal," said Roulette, before a fiddler began to play Amazing Grace.
On Monday, Manitoba RCMP Supt. Rob Lasson described Saunders as someone who was well-liked and friendly. He also said she struggled and was exploited.
An unknown man's DNA was found on Saunders's remains in 2007, but it was considered "insufficient" at the time to be placed in the national DNA databank, so the crime went unsolved for years.
Lasson said police caught a break in 2014, when advancements in technology found a link to the DNA sample. Queau, who is originally from Winnipeg, had been convicted of previous offences outside of Manitoba.
Queau was arrested in Vancouver over the weekend and charged with second-degree murder in Saunders's death, RCMP said. He is expected to be taken to Winnipeg in the coming days.
"In our wildest dreams, we never ever thought it would happen. Never," Roulette told CBC News at the Tuesday vigil.
"But it has. Creator is good."
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