Angel Carlick's mother still waits for answers, 9 years later
'I want to know what really happened, and why,' says Wendy Carlick
Wendy Carlickhas lots of good memories of her daughterAngel, but some of the most vivid are from the time just before Angeldisappeared.
"She was just dancing around, 'I'm gonna graduate soon'. And then I was walking around with her.It was summertime," Carlick recalled.
"She was wanting to get her graddress, her dress shoes."
Angel Carlick,19,went missing around May 27, 2007, sparking months of exhaustive searchingby friends and RCMP. Her body wasfound in November of that year, in a forested area near Whitehorse's Pilot Mountain subdivision.
Nine years later, Wendy Carlick is still waiting for answers. An autopsy was unable to determine the cause of Angel'sdeath. A police investigation is ongoing.
"Iwant to know what really happened, and why."
Hopes for MMIW inquiry
Carlickis pleased the federal government is moving ahead with itsinquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women. She hopes more attention and resources will help solve cases like Angel's.
She recalls hearingthen-Prime Minister Stephen Harper say in a 2014interview that such an inquiry "is not reallyhigh on ourradar."
"I wasn't too impressed with him," Carlicksaid."My mother wasn't either. Because we were watching on the news when he said that. We both looked at each other and we just got quiet for thatmoment."
When the new federal government announced it would move ahead with a national inquiry, Carlickwas relieved.
"I said, 'Yes! Right on! Finally.'"
Two months ago, hermother died and Carlick lost a major source of support. She says her mother would be happy to know an inquiry was coming.
"Iwish my mom was still here," she said. "NowI have to stand up and speak for my daughter."
Police investigation drags on: mother
When Carlick talks about the ongoing police investigation into Angel's death, it's clear how helpless she feels, and how frustrating it's become for her, over nine long years.
"I keep looking at the cop stationand walk by, wondering, 'What are they doing in that building?'"
She said police meet with her occasionally, but they don't tell her much.
"They said they're still on it, they're still looking into it. I just stand there and listen to them. What can I say?
"Every year I'm dealing with somebody different. I keep collecting their cards."