ST. GEORGE’S Grenada--The family of missing Canadian university lecturer Linnea Veinotte has confirmed that the body found on Friday was hers, and have thanked the Grenadian police and public for their assistance and support.
“We are of course devastated at the loss of our beautiful Linnea, mother, wife, daughter, sister, and a friend to so many. We would like to thank the many hundreds of people who helped in the search and the many, many thousands in Grenada and around the world who have offered their support, kindness and prayers,” the family said in a press statement.
The partially decomposed body of the 36-year-old mother, who worked at St. George’s University (SGU), was found five days after she and family dog Nico went for a Sunday morning run. The dog was hit by a car and left injured on the side of the road. Veinotte was not on the scene but police said evidence did not indicate she had also been hit.
After a few days of investigation, police found the vehicle and subsequently said that 26-year-old Akim Frank was a person of interest in the case. He turned himself in to police less than 24 hours later – in the early hours of Friday morning – and later that day Veinotte’s body was found in the south of the island.
The cause of her death is still to be determined.
A Twitter post by the SGU said the individual in police custody had confessed to being responsible for Veinotte’s death, although police have not confirmed that.
The family said the name of the Facebook page that had been set up after Linnea went missing had been changed “from ‘Find Linnea Veinotte in Grenada’ to ‘In Memory of Linnea Veinotte’ as a living testament, particularly for our boys [Lucas and Isaac – Ed.], to show the love people felt for Linnea.”
“We invite people to share their thoughts, pictures and memories of Linnea … and hopefully as many happy ones as possible, please,” the family said.
The page has since been flooded with pictures of Linnea with family and friends in happy times.
A song has also been written in memory of Linnea.
In an emotional message posted on the Facebook page Saturday, Matt expressed his grief and paid tribute to his late wife.
“It does not seem real; I am waiting and hoping that I’ll wake up from this five days of agony. I’m hurt… lost… angry… empty… and lonely,” he wrote.
“Linnea has had such an amazing impact on the lives of so many people. She touched people in everything she did. Her love for the world was contagious. She truly made this world a better place… And without her in it, it won’t be the same… not for her friends, not for her family and especially not for Lucas, Isaac and me!”
Matt also thanked those who have supported his family over the past few days.
Linnea will be buried in her homeland but a memorial service will be held in Grenada in the New Year. ~ Caribbean360 ~
