Tanya Brooks' family and friends renew call for justice
Halifax police say the murder case is still open and active
The mother of a Mi'kmaq woman murdered in Halifax is hoping this will be the year her daughter's killers are caught.
May 11 marks six years since the death of Tanya Brooks, a Mi'kmaq woman from Millbrook. For her mother, Connie Brooks Adams, the emotions are still raw.
The mother and daughter had a loving relationship and lived next door to each other.
On Sunday, Brooks Adams stepped out on her back porch and called out to her eldest of four because it was Mother's Day, but "she didn't come," said Brooks Adams while wiping away tears.
Brooks was murdered at the age of 36. Her beaten and broken body was discovered by St. Patrick's-Alexandra School — the same school she was attending to upgrade her education.
Her mother fondly remembers how Brooks brought her supper and called her a "good-hearted person" who would "give you the shirt off her back."
Every year, family friend Doreen Bernard organizes a memorial walk on the anniversary of Brooks' death to highlight her spirit and share the family's loss.
It's a difficult event for Brooks Adams to attend, but she feels a sense of duty to be there because her grief extends beyond just her daughter's death.
"Why are there so many murdered Aboriginal women? That's what I want to know," she asked.
The memorial walk also serves as a reminder to the community that Brooks' case remains unsolved.
Her mother hopes this is the year the family will finally see justice. Bernard and the family want "the killers off the street" and "put in a place that will never harm anyone."
Halifax police say the murder case is still open and active. They encourage those with any information to come forward.