REGINA — Michele Bear has been advocating for a search of the Regina landfill as her daughter, Rachele Bear, has still not been found.
Rachele and Kelly Goforth were killed by Clayton Eichler in 2013, as Eichler ended up pleading guilty to second-degree murder back in 2016.
Goforth’s body was discovered in a dumpster, but Rachele’s never turned up. Michele believes her daughter's body was also put in a dumpster and ended up in the Regina landfill.
For 22 days, Michele fasted at the landfill, hoping to reestablish communication in the investigation with the Regina Police Service (RPS). Her efforts paid off as the RPS and Michele met several times recently.
Outside the RPS station on Friday, Michele thanked the public in a statement. She declined to answer questions from the media.
In response to Michele's media event, acting Regina Police Chief Lorilee Davies released a statement, stating that dialogue with Michele will continue.
“We acknowledge that Michele has several ideas on how to move forward and, from a policing and investigative perspective, the Regina Police Service will do what we can to assist,” said Davies.
Chantelle Poitras, a friend of Michele’s, said this investigation requires continuous open communication and effort from all parties.
This includes the City of Regina, which Coun. Sarah Turnbull (Ward 5) said she’s spoken to fellow colleagues, administration, and more on the matter.
From Turnbull’s understanding, the RPS can’t move forward with digging up the landfill until there is evidence suggesting a link to the location of Rachele’s remains.
Turnbull also mentioned there would be no hesitation from the RPS to search the landfill once evidence comes forward.
As for remembering Rachele, Poitras said Michele plans to get a teepee in her honour.
A fashion designer from B.C. has created shirts to help Michele’s cause.
Money raised from the shirt sales will go towards the teepee.
Along with finding Rachele, many other women remain missing in Canada.
”It's really important that we acknowledge [these cases] and we say. ‘What are we doing about this?,” said Turnbull.
Davies noted the RPS remains committed to not only Rachele's investigation, but everyone they have before them.
