Cdrika Provencher's family begins to mourn her death

CdrikaProvencher's family members are saying they can finally start mourning the death of the nine-year-old girl after her remains werefoundinSaint-Maurice, nearTrois-Rivires, Que.

The SretduQubec, theprovincial police force, announced late Saturday that the human remains found in a wooded area by hunters on Friday belonged to the girl, who went missing in 2007.

• Cdrika Provencher, missing since 2007, found dead

The director general of the SQ, Martin Prud'homme, met Cdrika'sparents, Martin and KarineProvencher, on Sunday morning.

"I've been working on this file since 2007," Prud'homme told reporters afterward. "I wanted to seethe parents."

Prud'homme said heoffered them hiscondolences.

He also met investigators and got a progress report on the case.No one has ever been arrested in connection with Cdrika's death.

Prud'hommewould not say whether police have any new leads, only that finding thegirl's remains is a significant development.

Family starts mourning 'as of today'

Cdrika's father Martin Provencherwrote on Facebook Sundaythe family could start mourning at last, thanking everyone for their unwavering support since 2007.

"Without you, we would still be at the same point," wrote Provencher. "Youhave helped us overcome another step in this horrible tragedy."

Cdrikawas last seen onJuly 31, 2007, near her homeinTrois-Rivires. She was reportedlyapproached by an adult who asked for help to finda missing dog.She was neverseen again.

Cdrika was nineat thetime.

HenriProvencher,Cdrika'sgrandfather, wrote onFacebookthat the announcement was painful but hethanked the population for their help over the last eight years.

"You have shown great generosity and solidarity in the tragedy that we have been living," wroteProvencheron theCdrikaProvencherFoundationFacebookpage.

'We felt it was related toCdrika'

A trio of hunters found the girl's remains Friday.

PascalLanthiertold Radio-Canada that they immediately called police.

"We came to meet my brother and when we saw the skull, we felt it was related toCdrikaProvencher," PascalLanthiersaid.

"I am almost always in the forest. I was absolutely certain, I had a feeling that one day I would find her."

The Provencher family has worked closely with the Missing Children's Network since Cdrika's disappearance.

The executive director of that organization, PinaArcamone, said that Friday's discovery "gives them a certain sense of closure."

Someone out there has that missing piece of the puzzle- Pina Arcamone, executive director of the Missing Children's Network

"They wanted news good or bad after eight years," Arcamone said. "They were getting very tired."

"As devastating as the news is...this is an important part of the journey, having found their daughter, bringing her to rest, saying good-bye and moving on with the rest of their lives now," she said."We have a family that will start mourning, as of today."

The Missing Children's Network exists, in part, to generate tips and new informationabout missing children's cases, and Arcamone said she's hopeful Cdrika's discovery may prompt someone to come forward with information about her killer.

"We know that someone out there has that missing piece of the puzzle. And I hope that today we're a step closer to resolving that puzzlefor Cdrika, for her family and for the entire [TroisRivires]community."

Politicians react

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his condolences to the family, saying via Twitter that their grieving process can finally begin.

SenatorPierre-Hugues Boisvenu,whose daughter Julie was murdered in 2002, offered his sympathies to the family on Facebook.

"I am convinced that the discovery of the remains of Cdrika is only part of the answer that this family has waited for over the last seven years," wrote Boisvenu.

Boisvenu also called for Quebec to adopt apublic registry of convicted sex offenders.

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard sent his condolences to the family via Twitter.

"My thoughts go out to the family and those close toCdrika Provencher," he said, "that they may grieve in peace."

Parti Qubcois MNA AlexandreCloutierwrote on his Facebookpage that the news was devastating.

"All of Quebec searched for this little girl," wrote Cloutier.

"We all wished to find her safe and sound. My condolences to the entire family and her loved ones. May she rest in peace."