Family remembers Kelly Morisseau 2 years after unsolved slaying

The family of a pregnant woman found fatally stabbed two years ago in Gatineau Park, across the river from Ottawa, held a traditional First Nation ceremony Wednesday to mark the anniversary of her death.

No arrests have been made in the slaying of Kelly Morriseau, 27, who was found naked, bleeding and near death in the parking lot of the park's information centre on Dec. 10, 2006, when she was seven months pregnant with her fourth child.

Morrisseau grew up on the Sagkeeng First Nation, north of Winnipeg, but was living in Ottawa's Vanier neighbourhood at the time of her slaying.

On Wednesday, her relatives gathered at Gatineau Park, some weeping, as they laid bouquets of pink flowers, a stuffed dog, a plate carrying a sandwich, fruit and vegetables, cigarettes and other gifts in the snow at the foot of a tree a few metres from where she was found.

"We just bring her things because we love her and we miss her and we want her to have a journey," said Morrisseau's aunt, Michelle Morrisseau.

Closure needed

She added that the family also wants some closure. "It's kind of hard for us to let go with this guy still out there."

Kelly's cousin Roxanne Morrisseau remembered Kelly as a beautiful person.

"I believe she's with us in spirit," Morrisseau said. "She watches us and sees everything we see."

Gatineau police said they have received close to 300 tips from the public about the slaying. In September, they issued a composite sketch of a possible suspect. They said they also have a DNA profile of the man and a description of the car he drove.

A $14,000 reward for information about the case was offered by the Assembly of First Nations, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and Crime Stoppers, but so far has not yielded any arrests.