Family of murdered Penelakut Island woman plead for clues in her cold case

CHEK
WatchFamily and friends are grieving on Penelakut Island, remembering the unsolved murder of 19-year-old Dee Dee Brown. Her body was found five years ago today, after weeks of being missing.

Donna Brown finds some comfort watching old videos made by her 19-year-old niece Deedee Brown. In the videos, the teen is still alive, laughing and singing.

“She used to record herself dancing and singing,” said Donna Brown who raised Dee Dee Brown from a young age.

“She was always happy-go-lucky.”

Dee Dee (Dolores) Brown disappeared after she was seen walking from a party on Penelakut Island early in the morning of July 27, 2015.

She was last seen with a group of friends at a beach on the northeast side of Penelakut Island, near Chemainus.

Two days later, she was reported missing to police.

An extensive search was launched by RCMP, search-and-rescue teams and volunteers. On Aug. 19, Brown’s body was discovered near Norway Island by a group of kayakers.

The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) determined Brown was the victim of foul play and began a murder investigation.

“It’s very hard,” said Donna.

“It’s hurtful to even think about it.”

According to Penelakut elder James Charlie, her murder forever changed his small island. He remembers offering Dee Dee a ride as she walked along the road, days before her disappearance.

“And I gave her a ride and said hey what’s your name again? And she’s so quiet, she said (whispered) Dee Dee,” said James Charlie.

“I said what? My hearing aid and age. I had to ask her three times I just. She was so quiet, so gentle.”

“She wouldn’t hurt a fly,” said Donna.

On the fifth anniversary of her murder, Donna said it is time for her family to heal.

“Yeah we don’t want her to be forgotten,” said Donna.

“We wanna find out who did this to her.”

The family is pleading for tips to help solve the cold case.

RCMP is also looking for information in the homicide.

“We know that a member of the public has it,” said Cpl. Chris Manseau with BC RCMP.

“If you were a witness or you have that last piece of information that might bring a conclusion to this please contact VIIMCU or Crimestoppers.”

To contact VIIMCU in regards to information about Dee Dee Brown, call the VIIMCU Information Line at 250?380-6211. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS) or online at BCCrimestoppers.com.

 

Skye RyanSkye Ryan

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