Posted:
Today marks the eighth anniversary of the murder of Tanya Brooks and homicide investigators in the Special Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division continue to investigate the case.
Tanya's body was discovered in a trench along the west side of St. Patrick's-Alexandra School on May 11, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. Investigators were able to trace her movements until approximately 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 10 and urge anyone who witnessed anything around the school after that time to contact police. Investigators believe that Tanya knew her assailant(s) and that there are people who know what happened to her who haven't spoken to police.
Investigators ask anyone with information about this crime to call (902) 490-5016. Anonymous tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca. This case is also a part of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program which can be reached by calling toll free 1-888-710-9090; callers must provide their name and contact information, and may be called to testify in court. All calls will be recorded. The amount of the award will be based on the investigative value of the information provided.
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Statement from the Family of Tanya Jean Brooks
Eight years ago today, our family learned that our beloved Tanya was the victim of a homicide. We remember her as a mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was taken from us far too soon and we miss her every day.
People may not know that Tanya’s brain was withheld from us as part of the ongoing investigation. Yesterday, that changed. Our family met with Victim Services, homicide investigators and the Medical Examiner’s Office and the rest of Tanya’s remains were turned over to us. At that time, we also shared a special moment with Victim Services, investigators and the Medical Examiner as we honoured Tanya and our family by participating in a sacred, spiritual smudging ceremony.
In Mi'kmaq culture, in order for our spirits to rest, our whole body needs to be as one. With yesterday’s events, Tanya is whole again, which was our mother’s last wish before her death in September 2015. On behalf of our mother, it’s an honour to have Tanya complete so that she can return home be laid to rest and our family can begin to heal.
Our family is proof that a strong, respectful relationship can exist between the family of a murdered Indigenous woman, the police and other key players in an investigation into your loved one’s murder or missing person case. We are grateful to the police and the Medical Examiner for understanding and respecting our wishes and returning Tanya to us while at the same time upholding the integrity of the investigation into her murder. We know that they continue to investigate her case.
We hope that laying Tanya to rest in the weeks ahead might also be the motivation needed to give someone the courage to come forward to the police, CrimeStoppers or the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes program with information about her murder. We know that people out there have information about her death who have yet to come forward to police and we appeal to them to do the right thing – please, break your silence and allow us to find justice for Tanya.
Wela'lin,
Tanya's children and siblings