Suspect Charged With Murder Of Amber Redman
Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 22:00
A 29-year-old man from the Little Black Bear First Nation has been formally charged with first degree murder in connection with the discovery of what are believed to be Amber Redman’s remains.
The 19-year-old victim had been the subject of several searches and missing person bulletins since she was reported missing to police on July 18, 2005.
Redman was last seen alive at approximately 2:30 a.m. on July 15th, 2005 in the parking lot of a nightclub in Fort Qu’Appelle.
The man charged with her murder, Albert Patrick Bellegarde, was arrested yesterday.
He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in Regina Provincial Court Wednesday morning to answer to the charge.
A second suspect related to the circumstances surrounding Redman’s death, a 31-year-old man also from the Little Black Bear First Nation, is in custody following his arrest Monday evening in Meadow Lake.
The RCMP say there has been no decision in regards to charges being laid against him.
Police initiated searches yesterday afternoon at three separate locations on the reserve — an outside site where Redman’s remains are believed to be, as well as two residences.
The Mounties say one of those residences is no longer being searched.
In a statement issued to the media today, Redman’s family states: “We have searched tirelessly for Amber for the past three years. We have never given up. Today, we reluctantly accept with great sadness that the search for her is over. Over the past day, it’s been with great difficulty to accept the fact that she will never be coming home.”
Meanwhile, the chair of the First Nations Women’s Council says finding Redman’s remains is a stark reminder that violence against women is still a major problem in First Nations communities.
Chief Mary Anne Daywalker-Pelletier says it’s a problem on her reserve and many others — and she says she’s not afraid to talk about it and take a stand.
She says other First Nations leaders need to do the same.
Pelletier says the women’s council will continue to provide support to Redman’s family.
She says now is the time for communities to pull together and support each other.