David Oliver's family still looking for answers almost a year after his murder
The Kettle and Stony point homicide investigation began last August and is still ongoing
A homicide on Kettle and Stony Point First Nation has left a family with no answers, almost a year since a young man was killed.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Anishinabek Police Service were conducting a search on the territory, about 35 kilometres northeast of Sarnia, on August 2, 2020 when they discovered the body of 29-year-old David Oliver.
His body was found in a field near Highway 21, on a site of a former army base. OPP determined his death as a homicide, launching an investigation at that time in partnership with Anishinabek Police Service.
In November, OPP announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for his death. But police say the investigation is still ongoing.
Greta Shawnoo, Oliver's aunt, lives in Kettle Point and began posting #JusticeforDave online to continue the search for his killer.
"We need justice for David, justice for him and what he went through," Shawnoo said. "They took his life and brutally, brutally murdered him. He needs justice, his parents need justice, his siblings need justice."
Shawnoo said she designed a t-shirt with Oliver's photo on the back so community members would wear them outside and remind the public of his death. She has since sold 15 of them.
"After they had found David, we all broke down and a lot of anger and sadness went on," she said. "We're still trying to find his murderers ... everybody's [still] shooken up by it because Dave was close to all of us."
"There are times I have breakdowns because of how he died. Being alone, trying to fight off whoever murdered him."
Shawnoo is planning a memorial on August 2, the day that Oliver's body was discovered by police. Friends, family and community members will gather at the field where his body was found. They will sing honour songs and have a potluck meal after, to remember Oliver who loved family gatherings and potlucks, Shawnoo said.
Shawnoo said Oliver kept to himself but would always walk into her home with a smile.
"He talked to me about wanting to be chief some day," Shawnoo said. "He had a lot of plans, he had a lot of good ideas."
"One of his favourite things was to go sit at the beach," she said. "He always like popping around family homes, to say hi or just checking in."
Cst. Jamie Bydeley with the OPP said no further details are available at this time, in an email to CBC News on July 21.
If anyone has information, they are asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Should a person wish to remain anonymous, they may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit a tip online at www.sarnialambtoncrimestoppers.org where they may be eligible to receive a cash reward.