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Slain teen's family ask Lamb if he's responsible

By: Gabrielle Giroday

Posted: 06/28/2012 1:00 AM

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Fonassa Bruyere's body was found in August 2007. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store

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The family of a slain teen has written a letter to alleged serial killer Shawn Lamb, asking bluntly whether his victims also include Fonassa Bruyere.

Carla Bruyere, Fonassa's cousin, said she's written to Lamb, who's in the remand centre after he was charged this week with killing three other young women.

"I'm not writing this letter to (plead) with you. I'm writing this letter to simply ask you straight-forward whether or not you killed my 17-year-old cousin Fonassa Bruyere," says the letter from Carla.

Fonassa was addicted to drugs and sexually exploited. Her body was dumped near Ritchie Street and Mollard Road in 2007 and her slaying remains unsolved.

"I don't condemn Fonassa or any of these young women for having to make survival choices to cope with what they were going through in their lives. I want you to remember -- like you -- so did Fonassa struggle and hurt in her life and fought with her own addictions, just like all these other young women," says the letter.

Lamb, who had dozens of convictions dating back to 1976 has been charged with the homicides of three women, Tanya Nepinak, Carolyn Sinclair and Lorna Blacksmith.

"I don't know why he wasn't a dangerous offender, or why the public wasn't notified about him, or why he wasn't put under the radar because of all the charges that he had," said Carla.

Tracy Bruyere, Fonassa's sister, had told the Free Press Fonassa was last seen getting into a green truck near Aikins Street and Selkirk Avenue on August 9, 2007. The man in the vehicle had short hair, a moustache and a big nose, she said.

Bruyere's death attracted much attention after her body turned up on August 30, 2007, three weeks after she was seen getting into the vehicle.

Police said Wednesday they continue to investigating Bruyere's case. Police have never released the cause of her death.

"We are looking into this investigation along with others that may be related," Winnipeg police Insp. Rick Guyader said.

Guyader said police "will investigate the possibility (Lamb) is responsible for her death along with any others we feel may be related."

Police in other jurisdictions are also looking into Lamb. Police in Sarnia, Ont., said he was there from late May until June 20 to see family. He left Sarnia and returned to Winnipeg, where he was arrested June 21.

"His involvement while in Sarnia is under investigation by the criminal investigations branch," said a statement by Sarnia police Const. Heather Emmons.

"At this time, there is no indication that he was engaged in any criminal activity."

Staff Sgt. Gerard MacNeil of Project KARE in Edmonton said they're "looking for more information to come out of the province of Manitoba" on Lamb, though not on any open files.

"(That information) will help us to clarify whether or not we should be interested and have a directed focus at Mr. Lamb," MacNeil said.

Lamb lived in Edmonton on two occasions.

gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 28, 2012 B2