Family ‘waiting for answers’ as death deemed not suspicious

Family members said they were “still waiting for answers” as RCMP in British Columbia declared Brittany Martel’s death “not suspicious” on Tuesday.

The Hay River Reserve 27-year-old’s body was discovered by chance at the side of BC’s Highway 5, south of Merritt, a little over a week ago.

Without elaborating on the nature of what was found, RCMP said on Tuesday: “The woman’s death is not deemed suspicious and no criminality is suspected.

“The Merritt RCMP would like to thank the members of the public who called in to assist with sightings of the woman in the days before her passing and assisting in the recovery of some of her personal belongings.

“The investigation will now be handed over to the BC Coroners Service, with assistance from the RCMP when and if required. No other information is available from the Coroners Service or RCMP at this time.”

As police issued that statement, the South Slave’s Martel and Fabian families launched an appeal for help raising the funds to pay for Brittany’s funeral costs.

“The family is respectfully asking for donations toward the funeral costs for the unexpected death of our loved one Brittany Martel, whom was found in a remote area in BC and we are still waiting for answers surrounding her untimely death,” read a note posted to the fundraising website GoFundMe.

“We [require] assistance to bring her home to the NWT and to also help cover the cost for her vast family members near and far,” the statement, posted under the name of Hay River resident Victoria St Jean, continued.

“The family will be bringing Brittany home to have her buried beside her son in the Hay River Reserve Cemetery this week and would greatly appreciate any assistance from friends and family.”

A motorist stretching their legs while caught in traffic behind a collision found Brittany’s body near Mine Creek Road and Highway 5 on Sunday, July 22.