Niece decries 'evil' attack on Prince Albert's Marlene Bird
CBC News | Posted: June 16, 2014 4:51 PM | Last Updated: June 16, 2014
Marlene Bird, 47, suffered severe injuries, burns in June 1 attack
A niece of Marlene Bird, the Prince Albert woman who was brutally attacked and burned, says she can't comprehend how anyone could do such an evil thing to her aunt.
"She was harmless, she was everybody's friend," Jamie Bird said. "Everybody knew her. And I just don't know why somebody would do such a pure act of evil like this on her."
Family members said the June 1 attack on the streets of the Saskatchewan city left Bird, a 47-year-old mother of two adult children, with severe lacerations to her face.
People who knew Bird said she was a good-natured and caring person, but had struggled with alcohol abuse and had been living a transient lifestyle.
The burns to her lower body were so severe, her legs had to be amputated. She remains in hospital in Edmonton.
Jamie Bird said she has a close relationship with Marlene.
"She was always making jokes. She's so funny," she said.
Jamie said she remembers well the last time she saw Marlene.
"She just came over and checked on the kids. She was with her boyfriend. And they just visited for a bit and told me she loved me. And she went on her way," Jamie said.
In the two weeks since the attack occurred, no suspects have been arrested or identified.
Police ask anyone with information to call the Prince Albert Police Service or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at at 1-800-222-8477.