Two black area rugs could be the key to help solve the mystery of a murdered Aboriginal woman from Prince Albert. RCMP released the new information this morning in the hopes of generating some new leads.
The rugs were found with the body of 28-year-old Monica Lee Burns on a snowmobile trail about 15 kilometers northwest of Prince Albert on January 17.
Today, RCMP made a public plea for information on the rugs. RCMP spokesperson Mandy Maier says the rugs were likely recently removed. They are about five feet by eight feet in dimension, with a white mesh backing, and were cut to fit a specific area.
“We know they were purchased in the last year and they have distinct cutouts. So if you have information or if you are aware of a rug that was in a specific location and is no longer there, that;s why we are bringing this information forward to encourage tips from the public.”
RCMP are also still looking for anyone who may have had contact with Burns in the weeks or days before her body was located. RCMP say she did live a high-risk lifestyle, but say that is just one of many factors that have become part of this investigation.
“We don’t want to focus on that piece of information specifically. It was released in consultation with the family, but we also released other details and all those details help in determining a timeline of events before her death or disappearance and hopefully it will jog people’s memories and they will come forward with information.”
Meanwhile, family members of Burns are staging a memory walk in honour of her between Saskatoon and Prince Albert. The walk began yesterday and is expected to arrive in Prince Albert tomorrow, in time for another walk in her honour being held in the city.