Cédrika Provencher’s family begins to mourn her death

Cédrika Provencher’s family members are saying they can finally start mourning after her body was found in Saint-Maurice, near Trois-Rivières, Que.

The Sûreté du Québec announced late Saturday that the remains found in the wooded area belonged to Provencher, who went missing in 2007.

Cédrika’s father Martin Provencher wrote on Facebook that the family could start mourning. Cédrika’s loved ones were informed of the news Saturday.

Provencher also thanked everyone for their unwavering support since 2007.

“Without you, we would still be at the same point,” wrote Provencher. “You have helped us overcome another step in this horrible tragedy.”

The girl was last seen on July 31, 2007, near her home in Trois-Rivières. She was reportedly approached by an adult who asked for help to find a missing dog. She was never seen again.

Cédrika was nine years old at the time.

‘We have a family that will start mourning as of today’

Henri Provencher, the grandfather of Cédrika, wrote on Facebook to say that the announcement was painful but he thanked the population for their help over the last eight years.

“You have shown great generosity and solidarity in the tragedy that we have been living,” wrote Provencher on the Cédrika Provencher Foundation Facebook page.

Pina Arcamone, director general with Quebec’s Missing Children’s Network, told Radio-Canada that the family finally had an answer.

“We have a family that will start mourning as of today,” Arcamone said.

Arcamone said now is the time for Provencher’s loved ones to be able to lay her to rest.

Politicians react

Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, whose daughter Julie was murdered in 2002, offered his sympathies to the family on Facebook.

“I am convinced that the discovery of the remains of Cédrika is only part of the answer that this family has waited for over the last seven years,” wrote Boisvenu.

Boisvenu also called for Quebec to adopt a public registry of convicted sex offenders.

Parti Québécois MNA Alexandre Cloutier wrote on his Facebook page that the news was devastating.

“All of Quebec searched for this little girl,” wrote Cloutier.

“We all wished to find her safe and sound. My condolences to the entire family and her loved ones. May she rest in peace.”