The death of an Indigenous woman in the Cariboo will be the focus of a six-week trial in Quesnel Supreme Court.
Joseph Simpson is charged one count of murder and one count of interference with a dead body. He has been in custody since the remains of Carmelita Abraham, 33, were believed to be discovered at the Willow Inn in Quesnel.
Carmelita went missing from Williams Lake on Dec. 27 or 28, 2021, where she had been staying at the Slumber Lodge. Her body was recovered Jan. 14.
Carmelita had been living in the Cariboo, but was a member of Takla First Nation, an Indigenous community of about 500 people located 167 km north of Fort St James down a gravel road. About 900-1,000 members make up the community both on and off reserve, which is about seven hours away from Quesnel.
Carmelita’s brother Rick Abraham is at the trial to support his mother Heather Abraham and to see that justice is served for Carmelita.
“It’s pretty heartbreaking watching my mother cry for my sister,” Rick told Black Press Media during a break in the proceedings.
“But this is part of closure for my family.”
Rick, Carmelita’s mother, Carmelita’s daughter and many other members of her community and other Indigenous communities have made their desire for justice known, both in the days following her death, and again during the preliminary hearing in Quesnel.
Rick said the family plans to invite drum groups again to be outside the courthouse during the trial.
“We want justice for Carmelita. Justice needs to be served. Violence against Indigenous women needs to stop,” he said, noting he feels women of colour are looked upon differently and that racism toward women and children needs to stop.
Though he has always been outspoken about ending racism and violence toward women, Rick said he never thought he’d lose his sister in this way.
“I knew she lived a rough life, and she struggled with addictions but that does not mean she deserved to have her life taken.”
Rick thanked the chief and council and justice department of the Takla First Nation for their support in having family and community members listen in on the trial at the community’s boardroom, rather than having to travel to Quesnel.
A publication ban prevents publication of any details revealed during the trial.
Carmelita had been the focus of a missing persons investigation beginning Jan. 4, 2022 when the Williams Lake RCMP received a missing persons report from her family. Investigators were able to confirm that Carmelita left Williams Lake for Quesnel on Dec. 27 or 28.
On Jan. 10, 2022 investigators from the BC RCMP-North District Major Crime Unit attended Quesnel and took conduct of the investigation with assistance from the Quesnel and Williams Lake RCMP, Cariboo Crime Reduction Unit, the North District General Investigation Section and Forensic Identification Sections.
At the time, Mounties said Simpson and Abraham were known to one another. It is believed Simpson worked at the Willow Inn.
READ MORE: VIDEO: Mother attends preliminary inquiry into murder of Carmelita Abraham in Quesnel