Horrific attack on Prince Albert woman spurs march against violence

A 47-year-old woman is in hospital undergoing treatment following a violent assault where she suffered severe burns and had to have a leg amputated. The attack spurred friends and family in Prince Albert to organize a march against violence.

According to police, Marlene Bird was attacked some time during the morning of June 1. She was found in the 1200 block of 1st Avenue West, in Prince Albert's downtown area.

Police have not released any additional details about the case, but they are requesting anyone who may have video from security cameras to get in touch with them.

Many in the community were moved by what happened to Bird and on Friday about 100 people marched through downtown Prince Albert to raise awareness of the case and speak out about violence against women.

Wendy Mirasty organized the walk and is also hoping to raise money to assist Bird, who is currently being treated at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton.

"Marlene has severe burns to her body and her leg had to be amputated," Mirasty told CBC News. "We're doing this walk to bring awareness on violence. We want people to start people speaking up against it, so things like this don't happen to another person."

Others at the march spoke about Bird's personality, noting she is a kind and good-natured person.

"She's a funny woman," Camilla Morin said. "She's really nice."

Morin is also hoping someone in the community may have information for police about what happened.

"Someone must have heard Marlene screaming, someone should have heard something," she said. "These [downtown] streets, people are always on them so I don't see how nobody could have seen or heard anything."