Police say they've released the man arrested Friday in connection with the 1999 disappearance of a Montreal girl whose remains were found last week.
Montreal police Sgt. Ian Lafreniere said that the 47-year-old man was released without charge at approximately 3 a.m. Saturday.
Investigators continue to remain tight-lipped about the case and are not releasing any details about the man who was taken into custody.
Lafreniere said the probe continues, but will not reveal any more information to the public before Monday.
Jolene Riendeau vanished from her southwest Montreal neighbourhood 12 years ago after she was last seen rollerblading home from a convenience store.
It's estimated that in the wake of her disappearance, Jolene's face appeared on more than one million missing child posters.
Police fielded in excess of 1,500 tips and even dredged the Lachine Canal twice in their search for the missing girl, but there was no sign of her until police discovered her remains on Wednesday, May 5.
Although they refused to disclose any more details of the circumstances surrounding their discovery, police said her death was being investigated as a homicide. They also said Jolene's body led them to the Montreal resident taken in for questioning on Friday.
Despite the inevitable renewal of painful memories, Pina Arcamone of the Missing Children's Network told CTV News that Jolene's family is glad to finally see some movement in the police investigation.
"It's too early to cry 'victory,' but they're really happy to see that the Montreal police is working rapidly and well on this case," Arcamone said.
"It has been a very difficult week for them."
Jolene's parents are now planning a funeral for their daughter at a church in the Pointe-Saint-Charles borough where she grew up. It's expected to be held on Thursday or Friday.
With a report from CTV Montreal's Caroline Van Vlaardingen and files from The Canadian Press
