Girl, 13, who died in Sylvan Lake remembered by family: ‘We are heartbroken and devastated’ | 24CA News

Several households are coping with a ache no mum or dad ought to ever should face, after two younger women died on Sunday in Sylvan Lake in central Alberta.

One of the ladies was 13-year-old Olivia Dawn Johnson from Red Deer, and the opposite was a 12-year-old lady from Sylvan Lake.

“The hole Olivia has left in our hearts and in our lives is enormous, and our family is still trying to come to terms with the reality of not having her bounce into the house, spunky and smiling,” the household stated in an announcement to Global News on Thursday.

“We are heartbroken and devastated by the loss of Olivia.”

The household stated {the teenager} was a compassionate soul, at all times beneficiant together with her kindness and caring for others. She liked to snort, and her sense of humour was contagious, typically making others snort proper alongside together with her, the household stated.

“Olivia was a talented young woman with a bright future ahead of her. She was a skilled painter, loved hanging out with her friends, and most of all, made the world and our family brighter.”

1:58Red Deer lady, 13, who died in Sylvan Lake remembered by household

Those who knew her stated she was a present, and even after her passing, she continues to be a pacesetter locally.

For a number of years, she was a member of the Red Deer Indigenous Dance Troupe, which this week got here collectively to have a good time her life with a standard Indigenous ceremony equivalent to a smudge, songs, dance, drumming and prayer.

Dance troupe employees posted a tribute to {the teenager}, saying their hearts, ideas, prayers and greatest vitality had been with the Johnson household right now.

“In the midst of this heartache, Olivia continues to be a light and leader for our families and youth. We will miss her Kokum energy and beautiful smile deeply.

“What a gift she is to our community.”

In a publish earlier this week asserting the celebration of life for Olivia (Morning Star Walking Eagle), her mom Connie Lokken Johnson stated her daughter got here residence from the hospital on Easter Sunday “and she left us on Easter Sunday.”

Alberta RCMP are investigating the demise of the 2 women after their our bodies had been present in a room on the Best Western Hotel in Sylvan Lake, a city about 15 kilometres west of Red Deer fashionable with recreationists and lake-goers.

The evening Olivia handed, her household stated she was with a buddy at a birthday gathering.

“In the way most young women like to do — celebrating with a dinner with parents, swimming, and doing each other’s makeup,” the household assertion stated.

There was a mum or dad close by, police stated. The household stated the 2 women had a room subsequent door to the mum or dad, who would verify in periodically.

Police stated there aren’t any indications Olivia or the opposite lady took their very own lives or had been killed, and consider the deaths are non-criminal.

“We know there are many unanswered questions, and some we may never have answers to. For now, our family is focusing on supporting each other and grieving the loss of our Olivia,” the Johnson household stated.

Alberta RCMP media relations Cpl. Troy Savinkoff stated the medical expert’s workplace is trying into the chance the ladies died from an overdose, however toxicology testing takes wherever from just a few days to a couple months to finish.

The household stated it’s assured the RCMP investigation will make clear how the night unfolded.

“Speculation about what happened will do nothing to further this work, and will only bring more hurt in an already incredibly difficult time.”

The household prolonged gratitude in direction of everybody who has saved them of their ideas and prayers and has shared of their grief.

“We are so very grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received from the community, friends, and particularly the Red Deer Aboriginal Dance Troupe.

“We have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of kindness. We will keep that with us. Thank you for respecting our privacy as we move forward.”

The women’ deaths have deeply impacted their communities.

“Olivia is in our hearts forever, and she was taken from us far too early. She had big dreams and we can’t believe we won’t get to cheer her on as she grows up. We know whatever Olivia would have chosen to do, she would have done it like she has always done – full of confidence, growing and learning every step of the way,” the household assertion stated.

“We miss Olivia and love her, and we will remember her vibrant presence forever.”

Olivia’s wake and funeral are deliberate for subsequent week in Red Deer.

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