The family of Justin Brooks, the young man discovered in the Prince Rupert harbour in March, have been making strides toward hiring a private investigator, holding the largest fundraising event on Father's Day.
Chances, Justin's place of employment at the time of his passing, donated the space for the loonie auction.
The event was held on Father's Day to honour Justin, who would have been celebrating the day for his first time as a father this year. Justin's son Lucas, born last July 27, was in attendance.
"Justin should've been here with his child. He loved his baby so much. He always packed him. You can see the heartbreak in his baby's eyes when he sees his dad's picture. The look is like 'where are you, why don't I see you anymore'. This is why we want justice for my son," Justin's mother, Cheryl Ryan, said.
"Everyday I wake up with a broken heart and go to sleep with a broken heart."
Prior to Sunday's loonie auction, the family raised $2,500 by holding 50/50s, raffles, bake sales and Justice for Justin T-shirt sales.
All money collected though fundraising will be going toward a cash reward for anyone with vital tips about the happenings of the early morning of March 4 and hiring a private investigator.
Brooks' family looked into the costs of hiring a private investigator and learned it will be quite expensive.
"They get paid by the hour, and we would have to provide transportation here, rent a car, rent a hotel and provide his food. We would have to provide everything for him to come here," Sheri Latimer, Justin's aunt, said.
Ryan said RCMP have been keeping in contact with her husband, Pete Wesley, and Latimer through email. Ryan has ceased conversation with RCMP, stating she gets too upset with how they're doing the investigation.
"They know who did this and still these people aren't going to jail, even for assault. I'm just frustrated and mad ... it's been an ongoing nightmare," Ryan said.
Ryan said the family knows the individuals who assaulted Justin on the evening of his death because of people passing over information to the family.
"They won't go to the RCMP with information, instead they come to us. And when we pass it on the RCMP they say it's rumours," she said.
"These people told the cops [what they did] the morning my son was discovered. They told them they beat him up. They claim they left him down there, but in my heart I know they did more. It's the feeling I've had since the day I found out it was my son they pulled out of the water."