Family seeks answers after woman freezes in snowbank

Family members of awoman found frozen in a snowbank overthe weekend believethey aren't getting the full story from RCMPabout her death.

Rocelyn Gabriel, 20, was found at the recycling depot in Portage la Prairie, Man.,just after 8 a.m. on Sunday.

• Woman found frozen in Portage la Prairie snowbank

Paramedics began CPR and rushed her to the Portage General Hospital, where she died.

"I'm not ready to bury my baby," her mother, Joyce Gabriel, saidTuesday.

"Somebody has got to know something [about] how she ended up there."

Someone who was dropping off recycling foundGabrielhuddledbetween two large bins and covered in snow,according to her family.

RCMP say the freezing temperatures played a role in her death and no foul play is suspected.

But Gabriel's family refuses to believe no one else was involved in her death.

"We need answers. That's what we need right now," saidOlivia Gabriel, one of her sisters.

"We need closure, to really find out what happened to my sister," she added, sobbing. "My sister would not just lay there in the cold. She wouldn't."

RocelynGabrielwas celebrating acousin's birthdaywith her sister and somecousins when they all becameseparated. The family says that was the last place anyone saw her.

She left on foot at 4 a.m. The family said RCMP has surveillance video showing Gabriel at the recycling depot about 40 minutes later.

Gabriel, who was dressed in justa sweater, was later found in the snowbank. Her purse was found a distancefrom her body.

Her family saidthat wasn't like her, that shewould neverwander or go out in the bitter cold without a jacket.They think she may have been chased.

"We just want to know how she got there, because obviously she didn't walk there," said Lindsey Traverse, a cousin.

The family is planning to file a complaint against the RCMP.

They began a vigil Tuesday at 6 p.m.to honour Gabriel and encourage people to help them find out what happened to her.

Gabriel, who had four sisters and two brothers, was the first in her family to graduate from high school and had dreamed of becoming a nurse one day.

"Rocelynwas like the rock and the light of our family," said Samantha Gabriel, a cousin. "When you needed something or someone, she was always there for you."

The following map shows the location of Gabriel's home (A) and the recycling depot where she was found (B).