A forensic pathologist testified during the trial that it was not possible to determine how Ms Fontaine died.<\/p>\n
No DNA linked Mr Cormier to the murder.<\/p>\n
He was arrested in December 2015 following a lengthy undercover sting operation by police.<\/p>\n
The Crown’s case relied heavily on audio recorded by police of Mr Cormier during that operation. Various witnesses testified that Ms Fontaine and Mr Cormier were acquaintances.<\/p>\n
She was raised by her great aunt, Thelma Favel, on the Sagkeeng First Nation, north-east of Winnipeg. She left her home to visit her biological mother in the provincial capital following her father’s death.<\/p>\n
Police have described Ms Fontaine as “highly vulnerable” and said she was exploited during her time on the run. She was in the care of the child-welfare system in Winnipeg, Manitoba, when she disappeared.<\/p>\n
Her body was found weighed down and wrapped in a duvet cover, and she was identified in part by the angel wings tattooed on her back.<\/p>\n
The discovery of her body sent shockwaves through the city.<\/p>\n
Hundreds took to the streets and social media to demand better protection for indigenous women and girls.<\/p>\n
The murder also shone a spotlight on ways the system failed the teenager. On the last day she was seen alive, she interacted with police, hospital staff and child welfare workers.<\/p>\n
Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"