Family handout
The family of slain Lake Babine First Nation woman Jessica Patrick is bringing her home for burial in Smithers, B.C.
And they’ve asked people living along the Highway of Tears – Highway 16 – beginning in Prince George Thursday to mark the somber occasion by wearing red – the colour most associated with missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
The procession that will cover more than 400 kilometres through northern B.C. is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. MT, said her cousin Jacquie Bowes who will be part of the convoy.
Patrick joins a long list of women and girls reported missing along the 720-kilometre route between Prince George and Prince Rupert.
Her body was found last weekend outside Smithers. No further details about where or how she was killed have been released.
“That I can’t disclose,” said Bowes. “I don’t want to interfere with the investigation. We need to be cautious of what is said to the public.”
Patrick was 18 and the mother of a young daughter. Her family searched for her after reporting her missing to Smithers RCMP on September 3.
They hosted a vigil in Smithers on September 16, where they denounced drug dealing in the community.
Asked to describe Patrick, Bowes said: “She was a loving young mom trying to make it out the life she best could.”
Bowes, who is a spokesperson for the family, said the funeral is scheduled for September 22.
She hopes to see lots of people paying their respects Thursday because more than 20 First Nations border the highway.
“The family is wanting answers,” she added. “We want justice.”
My sincerest condolences to Jessica’s family, friends and community. A loss like this impacts everyone. I hope the person responsible is found and brought to justice.
My sincerest condolences to Jessica’s family, friends and community. A loss like this impacts everyone. I hope the person responsible is found and brought to justice.
Sounds like another Picton. Maybe they will catch him before 200 more women are killed.
Sounds like another Picton. Maybe they will catch him before 200 more women are killed.
Such a beautiful young lady..condolences to her family and daughter..RIP Jessica and may they find the person or persons nvolved in these terrible crimes
Such a beautiful young lady..condolences to her family and daughter..RIP Jessica and may they find the person or persons nvolved in these terrible crimes
My heart goes out to the family.. my condolences to them. May she rest in peace.
I will be wearing red on Saturday in Jessica’s honor from Bowmanville, ON.
My heart goes out to the family.. my condolences to them. May she rest in peace.
I will be wearing red on Saturday in Jessica’s honor from Bowmanville, ON.
Sorry to hear your daughter/mother has been lost. My condolences to all who miss her. May she rest in peace.
Brings back memories of’Picton”.Hopefully they stop this one before 200 more women go missing.
What a horrific tragedy, I’m so sorry to the family and friends for your loss.
Sorry to hear your daughter/mother has been lost. My condolences to all who miss her. May she rest in peace.
Brings back memories of’Picton”.Hopefully they stop this one before 200 more women go missing.
What a horrific tragedy, I’m so sorry to the family and friends for your loss.
My condolences to the family and loved ones of Jessica Patrick. She was a very beautiful young lady. I am hopeful justice will be served in such unneeded, senseless tragedy. God bless Jessica.
My condolences to the family of this young woman. I don’t know why or who would disregard the life of a fellow human being. I hope the perpetrator gets caught and charged for murder. Send him to jail for his natural life.
Him? Do we just naturally assume that a woman is incapable of committing a crime?
Send him to the electric chair and it might stop some of these senseless killings.
What a beautiful Woman just wasted by a dirty senseless criminal!!
So sorry for your lossI hope that you get justice for Jessica.
God bless
My condolences to the family and loved ones of Jessica Patrick. She was a very beautiful young lady. I am hopeful justice will be served in such unneeded, senseless tragedy. God bless Jessica.
This is heinous that continued psychopathic murderous rapists are continuing to take young women on this highway. This highway does not need a name . I object to the name. Do we need to form a vigilante group to take the monster/monsters down!
Mel, this is not the Wild West! You need to keep your thougnts of vigilantism to yourself. That is why we have Police and a criminall justice system. Any actions such as you suggest will just hinder the investigation and prevent any chan e of solve this case.
My condolences to the family of this young woman. I don’t know why or who would disregard the life of a fellow human being. I hope the perpetrator gets caught and charged for murder. Send him to jail for his natural life.
Him? Do we just naturally assume that a woman is incapable of committing a crime?
Send him to the electric chair and it might stop some of these senseless killings.
What a beautiful Woman just wasted by a dirty senseless criminal!!
So sorry for your lossI hope that you get justice for Jessica.
God bless
This is heinous that continued psychopathic murderous rapists are continuing to take young women on this highway. This highway does not need a name . I object to the name. Do we need to form a vigilante group to take the monster/monsters down!
Mel, this is not the Wild West! You need to keep your thougnts of vigilantism to yourself. That is why we have Police and a criminall justice system. Any actions such as you suggest will just hinder the investigation and prevent any chan e of solve this case.