Moose Factory, Ont., father searches for answers almost a year after losing his daughter in a hit and run

On Nov. 7, 2023, 21-year-old Loni Chum was walking home from a friend's place in Moose Factory, Ont., when she was hit by a pickup truck. She later died from her injuries.

Loni's father, Robert Chum, is still searching for answers about what happened that night.

"It breaks my heart knowing that coming from the place I love, a place I call home and people are keeping secrets," he said.

After Loni was hit, the driver left the scene.

Police told Chum two pickup trucks were spotted in the area around the time she was hit, but they haven't yet narrowed down who killed his daughter.

"It's been almost 300 days that this has continued on," he said.

"Every time we saw those trucks it struck a nerve. It made us feel uncomfortable knowing that they're still out there."

Moose Factory is a small community of around 5,000 people in Ontario's far north, just south of James Bay. The community is on an island that is only accessible by boat or helicopter in the summer months, and an ice road in the winter.

Chum described his daughter as someone who was "full of life" and always let people know how she felt.

She loved spending time outdoors and had a keen interest in the traditional ways of her ancestors.

"She wanted to live off the land," her father said.

A $50K reward

Earlier this month, the province posted a $50,000 reward for anyone who could provide information that would lead to an arrest in connection withLoni's death.

Chum holds out hope the reward will lead to answers, and a resolution for Loni's friends and family.

"Nowadays money talks, you know," he said.

Chum says he's confident police will be able to provide his family some answers.

"They sound really confident," he said.

"They're doing their job, they're doing the best they can. And then they know that justice is coming soon, especially with this reward that was presented last week."