Friends and family of Colton Crowshoe gathered on Saturday night to honour the memory of the 18-year-old nearly a year after the search for the missing teenager came to a tragic end.
In July 2014, three weeks after Colton’s disappearance was reported to police, the teenager’s body was located in a retention pond a short distance from his Abbeydale home.
Family members believe police mishandled both the missing persons case and the investigation into Colton’s death.
“It is frustrating for us that the investigation is taking long,” said Danielle Crowshoe, Colton’s aunt. “(The police) don’t have any leads or any names.”
Several members of the Calgary Police Service attended Saturday night’s candlelight vigil to show their support for the Crowshoe family.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating the Calgary Police Service in connection to the service’s history with Colton.
The day prior to Colton’s disappearance, the teenager was apprehended by police for loitering and his suspected involvement in a break-and-enter. According to his family, Colton was beaten by police during his time in custody and officers did not take the missing persons report seriously the following day.
“I’ve actually had other police officers approach us and apologize for the actions of police last year,” said Danielle Crowshoe.
The Crowshoe family plans to host the candlelight vigil each year until they believe justice has been served.
