Family of murdered woman hoping for justice

REGINA – “She was my strength.”

Maxine Goforth says she wanted to see the face of the man accused of killing her daughter.

Kelly Lynn Goforth, 21, was Regina’s 7th homicide victim in 2013. Her body was found in the alley of an east end industrial area in late September.

Three months passed until New Year’s Eve, when Clayton Bo Eichler, 32, was charged with second degree murder.

The time spent waiting meant the holidays just weren’t the same.

“I was getting discouraged on Christmas Day, because it was three months and I didn’t have my girl with me anymore,” Goforth told reporters outside Regina Provincial Court on Thursday.

“I knew it would come, I just didn’t know how long it would take.”

The push for answers hit the street in November with a Justice Walk for Goforth, who left behind a young child.

Family members say she’d simply left her home to go to the store. She never returned.

“The (Regina) Police Service, the (Peepeekisis) First Nation, the family have done their job,” said Simon Bird, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations fourth vice-chief in charge of the justice portfolio.

“We certainly hope the court system does its job to provide justice for this family.”

A cause of death still hasn’t been released, but Goforth’s mother says now that charges have been laid, she can rest.

“I know my baby is happy. At least no one can hurt her anymore,” Goforth said.

Police haven’t commented on the relationship between the two. Goforth believes her daughter didn’t know the accused.

Eichler did not yet have a lawyer at his court appearance on Thursday morning.

The case returns to court on January 9.