Family plans dinner fundraiser to help find missing N.B. woman Ashley Morin

Aug 8, 2018 | 6:00 PM

The family of a missing North Battleford woman is planning to hold a dinner and auction fundraiser Friday to help cover the cost of hiring a private investigator.

Ashley Morin, 31, has been missing since July 10, according to RCMP. The RCMP said this week Morin’s disappearance is considered suspicious and their Major Crime Unit North is now assisting with the investigation. Ashley’s cousin Stephanie Bird said the family plan to have a steak day dinner and a silent auction to help raise funds to hire the private investigator. The event will run all day, or until they are sold out of steaks. The fundraiser event will be held at 1231 107th St. in North Battleford Aug. 10, and the cost to attend is $25. 

“If we do make over the amount for [the investigator’s] retainer, we also are going to put the proceeds towards a cash reward as well,” Bird said. “All our families are coming together. There’s a whole bunch of barbecues. No donation of any sort will be turned down. We’re doing this so we can help my auntie and uncle pay for the investigator and also for the cash reward. Those are our main focuses.”

She said family and friends have been trying to get the word out about the event.

“We’ll also publically thank everybody because there’s a lot of community, private businesses that have helped us as well, making donations, gift baskets, all sorts of stuff,” she said.

Bird said the family felt they were at a stand-still so wanted to do more to increase awareness.

“We’re trying to put it out there and show her we’re looking for her and we won’t give up,” added Bird. “We have a positive family, supporting each other. We are thinking positive. Our main focus is finding her.” 

Bird said Morin was living in North Battleford at the time of her disappearance and said it’s “completely out of character” for her not to contact her family. Morin was previously employed at a local casino and had taken a leave prior to her disappearance, Bird said. She also thanked the RCMP for their efforts, saying the family appreciates their help.

“Any tips our family has found we direct them straight to the RCMP,” Bird said. “We will do what it takes and search for her until we find her.”

Morin was described as a First Nations woman, approximately 5’2” tall, weighing 110 lbs. She has long black hair and brown eyes, police said, and was last seen wearing grey sweatpants, a black T-shirt with white writing on it, a black hat, and sunglasses.

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

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