On the 25th anniversary of a fire that killed four members of her family, Lorraine Rochon joined Superintendent Ward Lymburner at BC RCMP headquarters in Surrey to appeal to the province for help in finding closure.
"Our family's life changed forever that day. Birthdays, holidays and milestones are a time for remembrance not for celebration. We are always left wondering why ... it's really hard to go on day-by-day when you think about it and see other families celebrating and wondering why that can't be your family," she said of the Feb. 5, 1990 fire that claimed the life of her mother Helga, sisters Sherri and Pauline and seven-month old niece Kimberly.
"I have a son of my own and it breaks my heart. He doesn't have a grandmother and there are aunts and a cousin he will never know. You always want to know why this happened and who is responsible. It never goes away and is with you 24/7."
Noting RCMP are confident the fire that claimed the lives of the Rochon family members was a secondary attempt at arson following an earlier unsuccessful attempt in the same time period, Superintendent Lymburner said the case is still very much top of mind for RCMP.
"We don't rest when investigations take this long. It makes it tough, but we don't close the door. We want closure for Lorraine and the family," he said, noting he remains optimistic given a recent unsolved murder dating back four decades was recently solved.
Both Rochon and Lymburner asked people with any information to come forward, whether they feel it is important or not.
"I am begging and pleading that anyone with information about this unsolved homicide, no matter how small, contact the RCMP. Even if you don't think it is relevant, it could be," said Rochon, who also took time to address the arsonist who sent the family a letter four years ago.
"To the person responsible, know we will never give up. If you didn't intend for anyone to die, know that only the truth will set you free."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Prince Rupert RCMP at 250-627-0700 or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.