The day before Tanya Brooks was found dead, she called her mom to wish her a happy Mother’s Day.

It was a Monday morning ­­ May 10, 2009,­­ and Brooks was living in Halifax.

“I said, ‘Happy Mother’s Day, Tanya,’ and she said, ‘Happy Mother’s Day, mom,’” said Connie Brooks.

Tanya told her mom she had to pick up minutes for her cell phone, and she’d be in touch soon.

“She always kept in touch with me,” said Connie.

“’Phone home, ET,’ I always told her. I’d say, ‘Phone home.’”

The next day, Tanya’s body was found in a window well of St. Patrick's Alexandra School. 

After an autopsy, Halifax Regional Police deemed her death a homicide.

The 36-­year-­old mother of five had been living on the street. She was addicted to drugs and alcohol, and police believe she was involved in the sex trade.

“I don't think she was homeless, actually. Because she had too many friends in Halifax,” said Connie.

“She’d clean a house, you know. That’s how she’d pay it back.”

Tanya grew up on Millbrook First Nation, about an hour out of Halifax. She moved to the city for a fresh start after her children were taken into foster care.

While she struggled to find housing, her brother would sometimes take her in.

“Stanley would look for his sister, and if Stanley found that Tanya was cold, he would take her off the street and bring her back to his girlfriend’s place,” said Connie.
Approaching the six-year anniversary of her daughter’s killing, there have been no arrests or charges in the case.

Connie doesn’t speak to police often. The last time they contacted her was about a year ago, she said.

“They don’t keep in touch with me.”

Tanya was Mi’kmaq, but Connie is undecided about whether a national inquiry into murdered and missing aboriginal women would help.

For now, she’s focused on organizing yearly memorial walks for her daughter in Halifax, hoping someone will recognize photos of Tanya and come forward with new information.

“I didn’t know my daughter was on the street,” said Connie.

“I’d have went to Halifax ... she was my best friend.”

Halifax police are still investigating Tanya’s killing.