Ontario Provincial Police announced that the cash reward in the case of a fatal hit-and-run that took the life of a teenage girl has doubled to $100,000.
On Sept. 24, 2011, Jessica Godin was found in a ditch in the small village of Fournier, located about 80 kilometres east of Ottawa. She was 18-years-old at the time of her death.
Since the discovery of her body, police have conducted more than 90 interviews, but their investigation has not yet led to an arrest.
Supt. Dave Truax said that, while the case has been frustrating, officers are determined to carry on.
"We have an 18-year-old young woman who lost her life, obviously we work for her family and for her friends who have lost a loved one. That is the motivation part that overcomes that frustration," he told CTV Ottawa.
On Thursday, police announced that the cash reward in the case had been doubled, after an anonymous donor contributed $50,000. The now $100,000-reward is one of the highest that has ever been offered by police in a hit-and-run.
The additional money was facilitated by the organization Sun Youth. The Montreal-based organization says that it has had a 28 per cent success rate in helping to solve criminal or missing persons cases since it starting offering rewards in 1991.
Godin's mother, Nathalie, said that while she's hopeful the increased reward will help lead to an arrest, she's aware that it may also bring up some tough emotions.
"I know that I'm going to be reliving all of this again, but it's well worth it," she said.
She is urging anyone with any information about her daughter's case to come forward.
"Just do the right thing… and hopefully it can touch somebody's heart that has children to come forward and help me, my family and friends," she said.
Anyone with any information about this case can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or call Detective/Constable Dan Fedele at the Hawkesbury OPP at 613-632-2729. Persons giving tips to Crime Stoppers that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.
With a report by CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem
