Vigil held to honour Marcedes Myran on eve of pretrial for alleged Winnipeg serial killer
CBC
Dozens of people gathered Sunday night outside the courthouse in downtown Winnipeg for a vigil to honour the life of Marcedes Myran.
Drums and song could be heard from down the street and candles lit the rainy night sky on the eve of a pretrial for the man accused of killing Myran and three other women.
"We wanted to gather everyone outside the court building to make a statement," said Jorden Myran, Marcedes Myran's younger sister. "Just to get everyone out here and fight to get these women home and fight to get them justice."
It's been nearly a year since Winnipeg police announced Jeremy Skibicki had been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Myran.
Skibicki was also charged in the deaths of three other First Nations women — Morgan Harris, 39, Rebecca Contois, 24, and a third, unidentified woman who has been given the name Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, by the community.
Police have said they believe the remains of Myran and Harris were taken to the Prairie Green landfill near Winnipeg. Their families have been pushing for a search of the landfill.
Skibicki's case heads back to court Monday morning with the pretrial set to last until Nov. 21.
A publication ban means any details that emerge in his upcoming court appearances can't be reported.
"Me and my family definitely have heavy hearts," said Jorden Myran. "It's going to be a tough week for us, and we're just going to try and stay strong and try and stay together."
Donna Bartlett, Myran's grandmother, said she'll be at court every day during the pretrial.
"My girl means a lot to me," said Bartlett.
Bartlett remembers her granddaughter as someone who was loving and trusting. Having the support Sunday night and over the last year "means a lot," she said.
"It means that people are actually listening.… We need to find her and bring her home," she said. "We need closure."
Bartlett said when Myran's son and daughter grow up, they'll see how much the community supported their mother.