It was a somber anniversary held in a small Regina park this afternoon. Community members, police, and family of Tamra Keepness gathered for the 12th annual barbecue in remembrance of the happy, brave little girl who vanished from her home, without a trace 12 years ago.
For the first time, her oldest sister, Summer Favel, talked to the media about her loss. She was just 10 when her sister went missing and was looking after her siblings during the night of July 5th, 2004, when Tamra disappeared. She is grateful people still care 12 years later and she still holds out hope.
“I know she is not gone and I just pray that she comes home one day,” she said.
The little girl was reported missing the next day, prompting what would become the police departments largest and most extensive missing persons investigation. Acting police chief Dean Rae is convinced someone knows something.
“We believe there are people in this community that have information that could help solve this case and we are asking them to come forward,” he said.
Regina treaty status Indian Services hosted the barbecue. Manager, Erica Beaudin, says her life changed forever 12 years ago when Tamra went missing, but she says there is some good that has come out of this.
“What was restored was a faith” she said, “ A faith in a humanity that did not see colour, did not see socio-economic status, that did not see anything but bringing a little girl home.”
A fifty thousand dollar reward is being offered to anyone who can provide police with the tip they need to break the case.