Family seeking closure 13 years after teen daughter killed in hit and run
The family of a 16-year-old girl who was killed in a fatal hit and run has been seeking closure for the past 13 years.
Brittany Bearspaw was struck and killed on the Trans Canada Highway on January 1, 2006, according to a release from Cochrane RCMP.
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Police have been investigating the incident in the decade since, and are now asking the public’s assistance in tracking down any possible information that remains to be uncovered about the fatal hit and run.
The release states that Bearspaw was struck in the westbound lane of the Trans Canada Highway near exit #131 sometime between 7 and 8 am on New Year’s Day, 2006.
Two vehicles have been identified as of interest in the case, with the release describing them as a red 1996-2000 Toyota RAV4 and a black 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am. Photos have been provided showing what the vehicles would look like.
Red 1996-2000 Toyota RAV4 and a black 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am (Cochrane RCMP)
Police also noted that, as it was New Year’s Day, many motorists would have been travelling in the area at the time of the incident, and that anyone who had been along that stretch of highway that day could be able to assist in the investigation.
“RCMP wish to remind the public that the smallest piece of information could be the one piece that has been missing to enable this investigation to move forward,” the release stated.
Brittany’s mother, Geraldine Bearspaw, wrote a statement pleading for anyone with information to come forward.
“Having to write down your feelings and deepest thoughts on the loss of your child tragically taken too soon is a very hard thing to do,” she wrote, “but I’m hoping and praying that the community, the people, or to whoever is reading my story to PLEASE come forward with any TIPS or [whoever] knows any information on New Year’s early morning 2006, please come forward. All this time and there are still no answers. We are left with little to no hope, all we are asking for is closure and justice to Brittany’s case.”
Anyone with information in the 2006 incident is asked to contact the Cochrane RCMP at 403-851-8000 or visit the Cochrane detachment at 359 1st Street East to speak with a General Investigation Section member or constable Amelie Morin.
Tips can also be left anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or by visiting their website.
Geraldine Bearspaw’s full plea can be found in full below:
It has been 13 years since the death of our daughter Brittany Bearspaw, who died tragically on the Trans Canada Highway on January 1, 2006 at the age of 16 years old.
My daughter was a very intelligent young lady, she had dreams of becoming a lawyer and she wanted to get her education. Brittany was an amazing girl with a big heart, gentle and very kind. Brittany would do anything for her younger siblings she was a very loving big sister. Her biggest dream was to finish school. She had a desire and determination to achieve success. Brittany was my inspiration, my rock, who I leaned on, my life has never been the same.
Every night I go to bed hoping I would dream of her and she would tell me “What happened” or say mom I’m okay don’t worry, or even to hear her say mom I love you. I would do almost anything just to hear her laugh. But instead every morning I wake up without my daughter with such a heavy heart, I sit on my bed crying, trying to imagine how life could have been with my girl by my side. It’s hard, it’s not easy, it’s a struggle every day. I still haven’t had the chance to heal and feel whole again, every Christmas and every New Year’s is not a holiday that I look forward to.
I am living a mother’s worst nightmare “Losing your Child”, especially your first born. This is the hardest thing I have to go through day in day out for the rest of my life. Most people don’t understand the meaning of grief, how grieving takes over you when you lose your own child. Every day I miss my daughter. She was not just a person, she was my girl, my baby, she was special, my world, my joy, she was my daughter.
Having to write down your feelings and deepest thoughts on the loss of your child tragically taken too soon is a very hard thing to do but I’m hoping and praying that the Community, the people or to whoever is reading my story to PLEASE come forward with any TIPS or knows any information on New Year’s early morning 2006, please come forward. All this time and there are still no answers. We are left with little to no hope, all we are asking for is closure and justice to Brittany’s case.
Brittany’s last words to me on the phone were “Mom, I Love You and I’ll See You Later “. This is the last conversation I had with her. I can still hear her say those words.
I Love You” Brittany Bearspaw “September 30,1989-January 1,2006. You will always be my baby girl, You’ll forever be in my heart and memory, I will not rest and give up until I find peace and Closure “My Girl” “My Angel”
Love Mom, Geraldine Bearspaw and Family
If you have any information, Please Contact the Cochrane RCMP.
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