The community of Blairmore is mourning the loss of two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and her father Terry Blanchette who were murdered last month and on Friday a public memorial was held to honour them.
RCMP issued an AMBER Alert for Hailey on September 14 after officers attended the Blairmore home she shared with her father Terry, and found the 27-year-old man dead and the girl missing.
Police located Hailey’s remains in a rural area outside the community the next day.
Derek Saretzky, 22, is charged with first degree murder in connection with the deaths, and is currently undergoing a 30-day psychiatric assessment to determine if he is fit to stand trial.
On Friday afternoon, friends and family gathered at the high school in Coleman to remember the little girl and her dad.
"Hailey was doted on by all who knew her and couldn't say no to her, we couldn't help it," said Terry-Lynn Dunbar.
"Terry then met Cheyenne in Calgary where he also learned he was going to be a father. This was a time in Terry's life that he had an epiphany, he said to me shortly after he learned of the pregnancy, I have big shoes to fill. Terry made a decision that day to become the kind of father his father had been," said Amanda Blanchette, Terry's sister.
Balloons were released in a touching tribute at the end of the service in Hailey's favourite colours, pink and purple.
Hailey has not been laid to rest as her remains have not yet been released to the family.
