'Loving mother of 4' Winnipeg police say died by homicide mourned in sombre candlelight vigil

The life of Briannah Clowes, a mother of four, killed in what police believe was a homicide last week, was honoured at a sombrevigilwhere her members of her family called for answers and justice in her death.

Dozens, including Clowes' 11-year-old son, gathered outside, in the 100 block of The Promenade, for a candlelight vigil Tuesday night to mourn her loss.

The site of the ceremony, a thoroughfare just north of Portage Place mall, was where Winnipeg police said they found the 28-year-old woman unresponsive and with life-threatening injuries on the afternoon of Oct. 31.

Clowes was taken to hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead shortly after.

"She was an honourable, beautiful person who had a kind soul, she was a loving mother of four who did not deserve what happened to her," Shauna Clowes, Briannah's sister, told CBC News.

Clowes became a young mother at the age of 16, her sister said, and went on to graduate from high school and then enrolled in Red River College where she became a health care aide.

"She had goals and aspirations for the future, she wanted the best for herself and for her children and she was stripped of that brutally," her sister said.

Shauna said she last spoke with her sister over the phone about a month ago, it was a brief conversation but she said now those "simple things are so important" to her.

"These little memories with her, even just going down the street are just coming back to me."

'She changed everybody's life':Clowes'former partner

Kasandra Flett, the paternal aunt of Clowes' oldest child, said she faced a lot of challenges when she was young but she "fought against it and improved herself"working her way up to become a part of St. Boniface Hospital's team.

"We are doing a vigil to remember her as a person regardless of what path she went down in life we want to remember her life," Flett said.

A group of women attending the vigil, mothers among them joined for a hug surrounding Clowes' 11-year-old son, while playing drums and singing prayers.

Red and pink roses, held by some of those present at the vigil, were laid on the ground in front of a board with pictures of Clowes and her family, illuminated by the flames of several white candles.

Daniel Flett, Clowes' former partner and father of their 11-year-old son, was at the vigil and said Briannah will remain in hismemory as a wonderful, caring mother, who "found the good in everything" and "always strived for excellence."

"It's a pretty traumatic loss you think it could never happen to your loved ones," he said.

"I'm experiencing a lot of grief, a lot of sadness, but I gotta stay strong for my son and for the rest of the family."

Clowes' ex-partner had known her for roughly 12 years and they last saw each other roughly a month ago.

"She changed everybody's life," he said. "If I knew how she would have ended up here, I probably would have done what I could to try and get her out of this situation and make sure this never would have happened to her."

Man changed with 2nd-degree murder

Ryan John Kennedy, 32, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Clowes' death. Police said the two were known to each other, but haven't said what kind of relationship they had.

Clowes' family is also unaware how the two met or why she was at The Promenade on Halloween, but they are seeking answers in her death.

"What is so important that you have to murder someone over? Why was her life taken from her at her young age, 28 years old? What made him think that it's OK to murder her?" Clowes' sister asked.

"People who have been brutally murdered innocently ... there should be justice."

Kasandra Flett said the family is now demanding justice especially for her children, the youngest of whom will grow without a memory of their mother.

"Nobody should be taking someone's life," she said.

But her family said that while they seek justice in her death they wantpeople to remember Clowes for the person she was and not for how her life meet her end.

"Her kindness, she was generous, shehad such a lovefor her children,she cared very deeply ...her cheeky smile that she always had and the glint in her eyes," Kasandra Flettsaid."We want her memory to be remembered that way."

Mother of 4 remembered by loved ones at candlelight vigil

3 days ago

Duration 1:51

People gathered in downtown Winnipeg Tuesday night to remember 28-year-old mother of four Briannah Clowes. Winnipeg police say Ryan John Kennedy, 32, has been charged with second-degree murder.