The Lac La Ronge Indian Band is struggling to cope with the recent murder of Jodi Roberts.
Police confirmed Tuesday that a homicide investigation is underway into the death of the 24-year old woman, whose remains were discovered near Sucker River on Nov. 27.
LLRIB Chief Tammy Cook-Searson says the whole ordeal has been very difficult.
“We had been praying for her return during these difficult past weeks and it’s heart breaking to know she will not be coming home in the way that we had hoped,” she says. “At this time, we will continue to support her family and the community as we grieve her loss.”
Cook-Searson adds in addition to grieving, the community must now also deal with the immediate concern that a killer remains at large.
“It is scary for the community and I did talk to the family this morning and they are scared and they’re worried. We’re hoping that the RCMP will be able to arrest whoever is responsible for this.”
Jodi’s sister Jerilee Roberts-Collins says the family can’t understand why someone would do this.
“It’s very hard to comprehend at the moment,” she says. It’s devastating, I don’t know what else to say about it, my family is taking it pretty hard.”
The La Ronge woman had been missing since Nov. 6.
Cook-Searson says the La Ronge band is offering support and counseling services to those in the community who are having difficulty coping with Roberts’ death.
A wake is being held in Sucker River on Wednesday afternoon for Jodi Roberts and the funeral is at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Anyone with information about her death is asked to contact La Ronge RCMP or Crimestoppers.