Renée Sweeney's closest living relative, her younger sister, Kim Sweeney, hasn't said much publicly since the Dec. 11 arrest of a suspect in Renée's murder.
Greater Sudbury Police Chief Paul Pederson spoke on Kim's behalf at the Dec. 11 press conference where Robert Steven Wright's arrest for first degree murder in the nearly 21-year-old case was announced.
"I've had the opportunity to speak personally with Kim. As you can imagine, she's overwhelmed with a variety of emotions," said Pederson.
"She's asked me to extend her most sincere appreciation to everyone in the Greater Sudbury Police, especially the lead investigator, Sgt. Bob Weston for all the work and contact and the support over the years. Also to the community for all their help and support. At this time she is asking everyone to respect her privacy. Kim said 'today was not about her, it's about her sister, Renée'."
Kim did, however, made a request on her Facebook page Dec. 12.
“I would like to ask all of you to show your love to Renée and make her your temporary profile picture,” she said. “Let's please honour her.”
Several of her Facebook friends have done just that, as has Kim herself.
Earlier this year, Kim spoke to Sudbury.com on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of her sister's murder.
She spoke of her closeness to her sister, and how much she missed her — the sisters' mother and stepfather have both passed on in recent years, and Kim has very few close family members left.
Kim also pleaded for people to come forward with tips.
Asked about her feelings on the 20th anniversary, Kim summed it up in a word: "Horrible."
“He's still out there,” she said last January. “It feels like forever, and yet it feels like it was just yesterday. Life goes on, and you have to pluck through life anyway and go from there.”
You can read our full interview with Kim Sweeney from earlier this year here.
Renée Sweeney, a 23-year-old Laurentian University student, was stabbed to death while working at an adult video store on Paris Street Jan. 27, 1998.
On Dec. 11, Robert Steven Wright, 39, of North Bay, was charged with first degree murder in connection with the Reneé Sweeney homicide case.
He was an 18-year-old student at Lockerby Composite School at the time of the murder. Wright, a lab tech at North Bay Regional Health Centre, was arrested at the hospital.
Wright's lawyer, Berk Keaney, issued a written statement Wednesday, saying the public shouldn't jump to any conclusions.
"It appears that it is the public's perception that the case is solved," Keaney wrote. "To jump to that conclusion would be a huge mistake. We will be making no further public comment while this matter is before the courts."
