Tiki Laverdiere's mother Carol, centre right, with Ashley Morin's mother Diane, centre left, Ashley's sister Janine, front left, and Krista Fox, right, outside court in North Battleford Friday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff) 

By Angela Brown

Support for MMIW

Family, supporters still hoping for answers on Ashley Morin’s disappearance

Aug 8, 2019 | 8:00 AM

As six suspects in Tiki Laverdiere’s homicide begin to move through the courts, the family of Ashley Morin are still looking for answers.

Morin, 31 at the time, has been missing since July, 10, 2018.

Exactly one year after she disappeared, RCMP said they believe Morin was the victim of homicide. That same day, they released images of a two-tone van seen at the corner of 96 St. and 16 Ave. in North Battleford on July 10, 2018, at about 9:30 p.m. This is one of the locations Morin was last seen.

Krista Fox, a family friend and spokesperson, said she and Morin’s mother Diane reached out to Laverdiere’s mother Carol to show support when Tiki was reported missing in May.

Fox, Diane and other supporters have attended court to show solidarity for Laverdiere’s family.

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Diane and Fox even travelled to Tiki’s home community near Edmonton when a celebration of life was held.

“I really wanted to connect Diane and Carol because only those two know exactly what the other is going through,” Fox said after the five suspects appeared in court on Aug. 2.

Morin’s family is hoping for some resolution.

North Battleford woman Ashley Morin was reported missing in July, 2018. RCMP reported in July 2019 police believe she was the victim of a homicide. (Submitted photo/RCMP)

Fox said Morin’s family remembers Ashley as a friendly, outgoing young woman.

“The minute she walked in, that smile lit the room up,” she said.

She said Ashley was an avid soccer player.

“People brag about her six FSIN wins,” Fox said with a smile.

She said Ashley’s mother often talks about family trips, driving all over Saskatchewan and Alberta so Ashley could compete in sporting events.

Fox added Ashley had many of the qualities “any vibrant young woman would have.”

But not knowing what happened to Ashley and not knowing where she is continues to torment the family.

“What we struggle with is the trust,” Fox said. “When we walk down the street, [we wonder:] ‘Does that person know something? Does that person?’ There is nothing we can do.”

Fox said all the family can do is continue to raise awareness so people know she is still missing – whether it is by holding walks, marches, or speaking to the media.

“We won’t give up,” Fox said. “We absolutely will not give up. We will bring Ash home. That is our main focus.”

She said the family continues to ask people to send in any tips they have with information that may lead to Morin’s whereabouts.

Fox said at the same time she and Morin’s family want to support Carol “through the pain and suffering that she is going through.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow