Gregory Cope. (Submitted/Gregory Cope Memorial Page)

By Angela Brown

Sunday vigil

Family plans vigil at Finlayson Island for Gregory Cope

Mar 29, 2023 | 6:11 PM

The family of Battlefords resident Gregory Cope, who was found deceased after reported missing, plan to hold a vigil in his memory.

Police reported March 3 that Cope, 32, was found deceased inside a home on 27 Street West in Battleford that was destroyed by fire Feb. 18. Investigators found human remains inside the home Feb. 27. With help from the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, the victim was identified as Gregory Cope. Initial investigation determined Cope died as a result of a homicide, and Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes is investigating.

The vigil for Cope will take place Sunday, April 2 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Finlayson Island.

Family said this location was chosen as it was one of Gregory’s favourite spots in the community.

An online Go Fund Me page has been set up for Cope’s two young sons. So far it has raised over $1,770, with a goal to reach $5,000.

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A Memorial Page has been created for family and friends to honour Gregory Cope’s memory.

On the memorial page, Dan Dillabough said, for the vigil, in lieu of Teddy bears, flowers, and such, the family prefer people instead donate to the Go Fund Me, or any other charity that may help find the “missing loved ones.”

“This vigil is for Gregory Cope, yet not for Gregory alone. Our thoughts are with all families that have or are currently facing the devastating heartache of their missing, abducted or murdered loved ones.”

“They are not alone in their search for loved ones,” Dillabough wrote.

Gregory’s brother Will Cope previously told battlefordsNOW he hopes the vigil raises awareness about the issue of missing people.

“We really want to help shed light on how many missing people there are in Canada,” he said.

Will wishes to see more focus on helping find answers when someone is reported missing.

Will adds he hopes justice is served for Gregory, and that anyone who knows what happened to him speaks up soon.

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW