‘No beautiful smile’: family still looking for Ashley Morin

The family of an Indigenous woman who went missing in July is renewing their call for information on her whereabouts.

Ashley Morin, 31, was last seen on July 10 in North Battleford.

“164 days without our beautiful Ash,” said Krista Fox, a spokesperson for Morin’s family.

“No calls, no texts, no visits, no beautiful smile — nothing.”

RCMP’s major crimes unit has been investigating the disappearance since August, when it was deemed suspicious, due to the

complete silence from Morin.

When she was first reported missing to the public in July, it was believed she could be in Edmonton or Lloydminster with a woman named Alyssa Faye Bear, who was wanted on outstanding warrants.

The family spoke from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) headquarters Friday, in an effort to keep Morin’s picture and name in the public eye.

Fox said the family will have a difficult time celebrating the Christmas season, in an appeal directed at Morin herself.

“We will not celebrate, we will not rejoice,” she said. “We will be sad and lonely. This holiday season is nothing … without you.”

Morin’s uncle, Eugene Arcand, said the woman was a strong athlete, who was always ready to help her family.

“She lit up a room — and even though Ashley didn’t speak very much, you always felt her kind presence,” he said.

FSIN Vice Chief Heather Bear raised concerns Friday that someone with information on Morin’s whereabouts might be afraid to come forward.

“We know someone out there has information,” she said.

“You may be afraid to come forward because maybe you have your own charges or own legal issues to worry about. You know, there’s anonymous calls you can make.”

Bear recommended calling Crime Stoppers, or contacting the family directly.

“Don’t be afraid. We need to look after one another,” she said.

In addition to the RCMP’s investigation, Fox said the family has received assistance from several groups in Saskatoon — including the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women through a round dance, and the Okihtcitawak Patrol Group.

She also praised the city’s police for their assistance.

“Thank God for Saskatoon,” Fox said.

Morin is described as an Indigenous woman, standing five feet and two inches tall and weighing 110 pounds with long black hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing grey sweat pants, a black t-shirt with white writing, a black hat and sunglasses.