Bridgewater mourns young murder victim

It was a chance for the community to say goodbye and to begin to heal.

More than 500 people packed the Bridgewater United Church February 23 to bid farewell to Karissa Boudreau, a little girl many who attended the memorial service had never met, but had come to care about in the past four weeks. They had worried for her after she was reported missing on January 27, then shed tears when her body was found on the bank of the LaHave River on February 9 and shook their heads in disbelief when the news came February 14 that police are investigating her death as a homicide.

Nine churches came together to help local residents grieve in a shared service of prayers, music, scripture and memories. Photos of Karissa sat on a table at the front of the church with teddy bears, flowers and a candle. More photos of Karissa and children’s artwork carefully arranged on pink and yellow cardboard decorated either side of the front aisle.

Pastor Paul Jensen, of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, delivered a memorial address for Karissa with memories provided by family members. He spoke about a little girl who loved animals, girl music, dance lessons with her mom, and the television show, Anne of Green Gables. Her favourite colour was pink and her favourite food was pizza and, although she was 12, she still enjoyed playing with Barbies.

Rev. Eric Campbell, of the Bridgewater Baptist Church, urged those attending to believe that Karissa is in a better place.

“I don’t want to stand here as a pastor and tell you that I understand why Karissa was killed and that God has some master plan in this and that I understand it all, because that’s not true. I don’t understand it. This is a tragedy and this is something that happened to a young girl who had her whole life ahead of her and had so much to give,” Rev. Campbell said.

But he urged people to take Karissa’s death as a lesson.

“I want to challenge you in this community to love each other, really love each other,” Rev. Campbell said. “That way Karissa has a real legacy here.”

Karissa’s grandmother, Suzanne Grear, and her husband attended the memorial service, along with several members of the extended family. Her parents did not attend.

Sgt. John Collyer of the Bridgewater Police Service was present. He said officers are continuing their investigation.

“We’re making progress, but these things are going to take time,” he said.

Click here to watch video of the memorial service.