Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/564929
PAGE 10 • SEPTEMBER 2015 The sound of eighteen-year-old Tania Marsden's laughter is still a vivid and cherished memory for her sister. Tania was a cheerful girl with a big, happy laugh. She was also a girl who loved her nieces and nephews and was very proud of all of them. Sadly, those kids have grown up without hearing that wonderful happy laugh and the special bond they shared with their dear auntie. Tania Marsden was last seen alive in Winnipeg on Wednesday, September 9th, 1998, the night of her 18th birthday. She was with friends at the Gordon Downtowner Motor Hotel on Kennedy Street, located just behind the Portage Place mall. The bartender recalls her arrival at the hotel between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. and that he had checked her identification to ensure she was of age before serving her. Tania and her friends left about an hour later, each going their separate ways. Several days before she disappeared, Tania had scheduled an appointment to meet with a social worker on Thursday morning (September 10th, 1998). However, she did not attend the meeting. Twenty days after her disappearance, Tania's body was found on September 29th, 1998 partially submerged in the Assiniboine River near Winnipeg's west Perimeter Highway bridge just south of the Assiniboia Downs. The condition of her body suggested she had been in the river for several weeks, which was consistent with the timing of her disappearance in early September. Tania's sister told Project Devote that after Tania was murdered, her family seemed to fall apart. Their mother once said that losing a child haunts you and that the guilt never goes away. Tania's mother passed away last year, not knowing what had happened to her child. The memories and pain of having a loved one murdered never goes away, says Tania's sister, who nevertheless is seeking closure. Project Devote, the joint task force with the Winnipeg Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police which focuses on missing and murdered exploited persons' investigations, took over the Tania Marsden investigation in 2012. Investigators are asking for anyone in the community who has information about Tania Marsden or her murder to contact them on the Project Devote tipline at 1-888-673-3316. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can call Manitoba CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Project Devote tania's voice was silenced – will you speak up FoR heR? FREESATELLITEPHONE STAYCONNECTED BEYONDCELLULAR 4L COMMUNICATIONS 2-2075 Pembina Hwy. Winnipeg, MB (204) 918-6906 GENE'S TELECOM 240 Fischer Avenue The Pas, MB (204) 623-2969 CORDELL SATELLITE 300 Riverside Drive Thompson, MB (204) 778-7437 MERV'S 601 Main Street East Swan River, MB (204) 734-3252 Remainconnectedtofamily,friends andco-workersbeyondcellularservice withoutbreakingthebank. Themostaffordablesatellite communicationsolution $499SATPHONE FREE *Terms and conditions apply. TAKEADVANTAGEOFTHE FREEPHONEOFFERTODAY! Contactyourlocalauthorized GlobalstarDealertogetconnected.