A family's 'mixed emotions' as tip prompts new search for Quebec teens

New information received by police in the 2008 disappearance of two Indigenous teens has led homicide investigators to conduct a search at the Kitigan Zibi reserve in Quebec, leaving her family with "mixed emotions."

Maisy Odjickand Shannon Alexanderdisappeared after planning to go out dancingone September night in2008.They were 16 and 17 at the time, respectively.

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The girlswere supposed to spend the night at Alexander's house inManiwaki, Que., which is north ofGatineauand close toKitiganZibi.

Their belongings were found the next day at the home, but Alexander andOdjickweren't there and haven't been seen since.

Odjick'smother, Laurie Odjick, saidpolice called a few weeks ago to let her know they received a tip aboutwhere the girls' bodies might be found.

"You think about the things that could have happened to her, because if she was buried there, if she was there, the horror that she might have went through," Odjicktold CBC Wednesday.

"That was my thought. You don't want your child going, or suffering through any sort of pain."

Police search area around creek

But Laurie Odjick'swait wasn't over.

Recent flooding had made the water levels in the area too high, so police told her nothing could be done until itreceded.

Until that finally happened this week,the family's "nightmare" continued, saidOdjick, with everyone trying to keep busy knowing that closure could be soon at hand.

"You can't get excited or sad," said Earl McGregor, Odjick's step-grandfather. "You don't pay too much attention right away."

Sret du Qubec(SQ) homicideinvestigators have been in the area since Monday,searching PitobigCreeknear Paganakomin Road in KitiganZibi.They returned to the area Wednesdayto search the ground around the creek for evidence,using a small excavator.

Police discuss search of Pitobig Creek area

7 years ago

Duration 0:58

Quebec provincial police have been searching the Pitobig Creek area in Kitigan Zibi for evidence in a 2008 disappearance.

They're also interviewing about 20 people, according to SQ spokesperson Martine Asselin.

Not knowing hardest part

The nearly nine years since her daughter's disappearance has been "hell," Odjicksaid.

"It's likea parent's worst nightmare, not knowing. Not knowing is the thing that hits me the hardest."

Now,facing a potentiallygrim reality, Odjick'semotions are mixed.

"You have this in your heart where you don't want them to find anything, but then as a family you want closure," she said, with tears beginning to fill her eyes.

"To actually pinpoint on how you feel. I can't, I can't describe that."

McGregor said he feels much the same, adding the eventual "emotional relief" will lift a weight the family has been carrying for too long.

Girls 'don't just disappear'

It's Laurie Odjick's firm belief that there are people out there who know what happened to the two teens. She'simploringthem to come forwardtopolice.

"I mean, two girls don't just disappear off the face of the earth. And I'm hoping one day those people who do know something step forward," she said.

Odjickvisited the site of the search early Wednesday afternoon to acknowledge how thankful she is to the team.

"My family's hurting. In a way, I just can't wait for it to be over."