Sask. mother begins fast, advocating for landfill search to find daughter’s remains

WATCH: A Regina woman is calling on police to search the landfill in hopes of finding her daughter. Sierra D’Souza Butts has more.

A Regina woman has begun a fast, while she demands City of Regina for a search of the landfill in hopes of finding her daughter’s remains.

Richele Bear was reported missing in the fall of 2013. She was later determined to be the victim of a homicide following an investigation.

“I’ve lived like this for 12 years now, not having my daughter. My daughter has a place in our traditional burial ground amongst her people,” said Richele’s mother, Michele Bear.

Convicted serial killer Clayton Bo Eichler pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the death of Richele and 21-year-old Kelly Goforth.

Goforth’s body was found in a plastic bag inside of a hockey bag in a back alley near the 1700 block of McAra Street.

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However, Richele’s body was never found. Her mother is renewing her call for action from the city.

“Everyone deserves the respect of a proper burial, especially our First Nations people,” Bear said tearfully.

“They tell me my daughter’s in [the landfill]. I cry every time. I used to come by here, I used to cry all the time. I’m going to sit here and I’m going to wait until they come and they settle with me.”

Beginning her fast Tuesday morning at the landfill, members of the Regina Police Service (RPS) met with Bear to check in on her to help ensure her safety.

“The RPS has a long-standing relationship with Ms. Bear and will continue to keep lines of communication open with her,” the service said in a statement to CTV News.

“Although police have laid charges in the murder of her daughter, Richele Bear, we want to clarify that, at this time, we have no evidence that would confirm the location of her remains.”

The police service went on to say that its investigators are continuing to follow up on leads and information concerning Bear’s case. RPS encourages anyone with information to come forward.

“Help bring closure to this case,” the service added.

With over a decade passing, the memory of Richele continues to live on through her family.

“She was a beautiful daughter. Always had a kind heart. No matter what she was going through, she would always help you. She always had a smile on her face,” shared her mother.

Bear plans to continue her fast until the City of Regina agrees to a search.

“I started my hunger strike this morning at 9 a.m. I’m going to be only drinking water and maybe soup. We’ll see how long it takes,” she said.

“Either I die or the city settles with me. No, I’m not going to tiptoe around them anymore.”

-With files from Angela Stewart