Karina Wolfe’s family is devastated, friends say.
Remains of the Saskatoon woman, who was 20 years old when she vanished more than five years ago, were recently discovered northwest of the city.
“They’re heartbroken, devastated that those remains were Karina’s,” said Myrna LaPlante, who visited Wolfe’s family as soon as she heard the remains were found.
LaPlante was one of many gathered Saturday at Saskatoon’s White Buffalo Youth Lodge to honour missing and murdered aboriginal women and to remember Wolfe.
Gwenda Yuzicappi, whose own daughter was murdered, was also in attendance. She said Wolfe’s mother had never stopped searching for Wolfe since she disappeared in July 2010.
“She had so much hope. That was one thing I admired about her — that hope that she carried,” Yuzicappi said. “It just broke my heart.”
Wolfe’s remains were found Nov. 14 after police received information days earlier that led them to a rural area outside Saskatoon.
A 33-year-old man has since been charged with second-degree murder and with offering an indignity to human remains in the case. He is scheduled to appear in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Monday.
LaPlante, who is with a group that works with families of missing and murdered aboriginal woman, said she will be there with the Wolfe family in court and through these tough times.
“We will support whatever their plans are for taking Karina home, and that’s to the Muskeg First Nation,” said LaPlante, referring to the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, located north of Saskatoon.
Wolfe’s relatives, who have held yearly vigils to remember her, have yet to speak to media.
Donations were collected at Saturday’s event to help the family.
