'Long windy road' to justice, says friend of cold case murder victim as Quebec man appears in Calgary court

The friendof a southern Alberta woman killed 16 years ago says she plans to attend every court appearance of the Quebec man who was arrested last month in connection with the cold case murder.

StphaneParent, 49,appeared over closed-circuit television in a Calgary courtroom Tuesday on a charge of second-degree murderin the 2002 death of AdrienneMcColl. Hewill remain in custody for at least another month.

"Sixteenyears is an incredibly long time to wait for justice," said McColl's friend Shandi Bard, who attended Parent's court appearance along with three other women. "I plan on being at every court date set and know this will be a long windy road ahead."

• Quebec man charged with 2nd-degree murder in 16-year-old cold case death of Adrienne McColl
• Who killed Adrienne McColl? 16 years later, RCMP say they're getting closer to the truth

Dressed in a blue remand centre-issued jumpsuit, Parent said nothing as lawyers put the case over for five weeks so that defence lawyer Susan Karpacan be officially retained as counsel.

Parent is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old AdrienneMcColl,who was last seen on Valentine's Day 2002.

Exactly 16 yearsafterMcColl'sbody was discovered in a rancher's field nearNanton, south of Calgary, police arrestedParentoutside his Quebec home last month.

Friends of the victim have toldCBCNews thatParent andMcCollwere romantically involved at the time of her death buthad a volatile relationship.

Parent, whowas a person of interest at the time ofMcColl'sdeath, bought a one-way ticket to Ottawa days afterMcColl'sbody was found.

Police believe Parent has lived in Ontario and Quebec ever since, and hehas family inGatineau, Que., where he was arrested.

Parent will be back in court April 24 and McColl's friends plan to be there too.

"AllI can do is lend mysupport to Adrienne's' memory," said Bard."She was awonderful friend and her memory burns bright to all that knew her."