Nearly two weeks after she was found dead in her home north-east of Spruce Grove, the family of Jolene Cote spoke publicly for the first time on their loss, and begged anyone with knowledge of what happened to Cote to come forward.
Two of Jolene Cote's sisters, Rhonda Berg and Krista Knapp and her mother Dorothy Commandeur addressed the media at a press conference held at RCMP Headquarters in Edmonton on Wednesday morning.
Cote's sisters spoke about life after Cote was found dead.
"Everyday since Jolene was murdered day-to-day life has been very difficult to deal with," Cote's youngest sister Krista Knapp said. "Knowing that our sister will never come back."
"Somebody ended my sister's life," Cote's oldest sister Rhonda Berg said. "She became the victim of a homicide at age 36,
"They forever took her away from her family and friends, and since that day we have all been living in a nightmare."
Jolene Cote was declared dead in her home on Thursday, October 13, after Spruce Grove and Stony Plain RCMP were called to the rural home she shared with her husband and two children north-east of Spruce Grove.
Later, RCMP deemed her death a homicide and said they are investigating several factors related to the case.
RCMP have encouraged anyone with information to contact police or Crimestoppers since the investigation began – but the victim's sisters begged anyone with information to come forward.
"We as a family think somebody out there must know something," Berg said. "Think back to October 13th,
"Maybe you have suspicions about someone, any information as small as you think it is could lead to justice for Jolene."
"It will bring some peace to our family," Knapp said.
Berg and Knapp said they've set up a trust fund, anyone who wishes to donate can contribute to the Jolene Cote Trust Fund at any Alberta Treasury Branch location.
RCMP said anyone with information that could help in the investigation can call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
