A family presence was felt at the Quesnel Courthouse in remembrance of Carmelita Abraham, on Monday morning, as the trial unfolds examining her death.
Abraham was 33 when she went missing from Williams Lake on Dec. 27 or 28, 2021, where she had been staying at the Slumber Lodge. Her body was recovered Jan. 10, 2022.
Joseph Simpson is charged with one count of murder and one count of interference with a dead body. He has been in custody since the remains of Abraham were believed to be discovered at the Willow Inn in Quesnel.
On Monday (Mar. 11), a group of family, friends and supporters were present at the Quesnel Courthouse where the trial is now underway. They held a vigil in the morning, including drumming, smudging, and banners urging justice for her untimely death.
Carmelita had been living in the Cariboo, but was a member of Takla First Nation, an Indigenous community of about 500 people located 167 km north of Fort St. James down a gravel road. About 900-1,000 members make up the community both on and off reserve, which is about seven hours away from Quesnel.
READ MORE: VIDEO: Mother attends preliminary inquiry into murder of Carmelita Abraham in Quesnel