GARDEN HILL FIRST NATION, Man. — The mother of a Manitoba girl found dead nearly a year ago has renewed hope that police will finally catch her killer.
RCMP is collecting up to 2,000 DNA samples from men and boys between 15 and 66 on the Garden Hill First Nation.
Teresa Robinson, who was 11, was last seen leaving a birthday party in the remote, fly-in community on May 5, 2015.
Her remains were found six days later and it was initially thought she was attacked by a bear.
RCMP later determined that although animals had likely disturbed her remains, there was no evidence to suggest they played a role in her death.
With no arrests, and no breaks in the case to date, Sandra Robinson hopes DNA will soon provide the answers she's been waiting for.
"Don't trust anybody around here, even friends because we don't know who did this," she said. "People probably won't even believe who that person is when it comes out."
Luke Taylor, whose son was beaten to death eight years ago in the community, says he will give a sample.
“Sad. I know how it feels too, the loss of a child. Because of myself. It's very painful."
Band councillor Larry Beardy has given a blood sample to police, but says he knows of at least one man who won't.
The Garden Hill Fist Nation Band said RCMP investigators will return to the community in three to four weeks to collect the next round of DNA samples.
RCMP plan to make up to five trips to gather the samples with the hope of bringing closure to Robinson’s family and the community.
