STONEY NAKODA – Brittany Bearspaw’s last words to her mother were, “Mom, I love you and I’ll see you later.”

That was before bright and bubbly 16-year-old was killed on the Trans-Canada Highway on Jan. 1, 2006 in a fatal hit and run.

Thirteen years later, Cochrane RCMP and Brittany’s family are once again asking for the public’s help to find answers around her death.

“Brittany was my inspiration, my rock, who I leaned on,” her mother Geraldine Bearspaw wrote in a letter released Thursday (April 25). “My life has never been the same … she was not just a person. She was my girl, she was my special, my world, my joy – she was my daughter.”

Brittany was focused on her studies, had aspirations to become a lawyer and travel the world. Her mother instilled a sense of responsibility in her from a young age.

The Stoney Nakoda teenager was about to begin school at Canmore Collegiate and she had already secured a job for the upcoming summer when she went out with friends on New Year’s Eve.

With her mother and stepfather gone on a trip to Winnipeg, the lively teenager donned a pair of army pants and a black top, and got in a car with her best friend Sunshine and a group of others despite pleas from her younger sister to stay home.

The last time she was seen alive was several hours later, walking along the Trans-Canada Highway in the westbound lanes with a blanket around her shoulders.

It was 7:20 a.m. when Cochrane RCMP received a call for help and upon arrival found a man walking along the side of the road. He had found human remains on the highway and had seen two vehicles drive over the now shattered body.

Cochrane RCMP Const. Amelie Morin said over the past 13 years, no new information has come forward and the case has been cold for a while.

“In December 2018, I conducted a review of the file and decided to explore other investigative avenues and use some forensics that may not have been available back then,” Morin said. “That has led to new information.”

The investigation identified two vehicles of interest in the case – a red 1996-2000 Toyota RAV4 and a black 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am. After the collision both vehicles would have had significant front-end damage.

RCMP officials are asking anyone who might have been travelling on the highway that day to come forward with any information, noting that even the smallest piece of information could be the “one piece that has been missing to enable this investigation to move forward.”

“I’m hoping and praying that the community, the people or to whomever is reading my story to please come forward to any tips or information on New Year’s early morning 2006, please come forward,” Geraldine said.

“Brittany was an amazing girl with a big heart, gentle and very kind. Brittany would do anything for her younger siblings, she was a very loving big sister … having to write down your feelings and deepest thoughts on the loss of your child tragically taken too soon is the hardest thing to do.

“All this time and there are still no answers. We are left with little to no hope – all we are asking for is closure and justice in Brittany’s case.”

Information relating to either vehicle, or any witnesses who may have been on the highway at the time are asked to come forward to the Cochrane RCMP by calling 403-851-8000 or by attending the detachment on 359 First St. East, Cochrane.

Those who wish to remain anonymous can also provide information through Crimestoppers at www.tipsubmit.com or 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

-With files from Dan Ovsey