EDMONTON — The kidnapping of two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette caught the attention of people across Canada. When she was found dead a day later, there was a collective outpouring of grief from coast to coast.
READ MORE: Outpouring of grief over death of two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette
Complete strangers took to social media to express their shock and sadness. Some gathered to pay tribute to Hailey and her father, 27-year-old Terry Blanchette, including in the northwestern Alberta city of Grande Prairie.
Approximately 150 people gathered Wednesday night at a candlelit vigil, where they also released pink balloons into the air. Representatives from St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church and RCMP Victim Services were on hand for people who needed someone to talk to.
READ MORE: ‘She was my baby’: Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette’s mother Cheyenne breaks down
Although it doesn’t answer questions about why this tragedy happened, vigils and online tributes can help those feeling at a loss.
“People don’t know what to say or do,” said Cathy Keough, a social worker with the Calgary Counselling Centre. “We can relate on a heartfelt level and the first response is to reach out. Digitally we can reach out in a way that isn’t clumsy and not knowing what to say to a person face to face.”
READ MORE: Remains of two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette found; Amber Alert dropped
Two-year-old Hailey’s body was found near Blairmore in the Crowsnest Pass in southwestern Alberta on Tuesday. The body of her father was found in their Blairmore home on Monday and an Amber Alert was triggered when Hailey disappeared.
RCMP victims services broke the tragic news Tuesday night at a candlelit vigil in Blairmore, where residents had gathered to lend hope and support.
Derek James Saretzky was charged Thursday with two counts of first-degree murder. He was also charged with one count of indignity to a body in the death of Hailey.
READ MORE: Timeline –Abduction of 2-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette
The 22-year-old is scheduled to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Sept. 23.
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