'Why can't they just speak out?' Family of Poplar River homicide victim makes plea to witnesses

Maureen Bittern says someone in Poplar River knows who killed her brother Rick Bruce, because his family knows he wasn't alone in the hours before he died on July 7, 2018.

RCMP are investigating the 47-year-old'sdeath on the Manitoba First Nation as a homicide, but haven't made any arrests.

"Why can't they just speak out?" Bittern said on thephone from Little Grand Rapids."We want answersto put my mom at ease."

"She sits by the phone and waits for his call, because that was his daily phone call."

• RCMP investigating homicide in northern Manitoba community

Bittern said the family doesn't know how Bruce died, just that he had had a few friends over to his placefor drinks the night he was killed.

A person who was in the house that night confirmed that others were there and drinking, but that witness said they blacked out and couldn't provide any details about Bruce's death.

RCMPconfirmsomeone was arrested,but was then released. No charges have been laid in connection to Bruce's death.

Bittern said RCMP investigators keep in touch with her mother, sister and herself,but can't tell them much.

"I hate it.I hate the fact he got [killed]," she said. "I would accept his death in any other way, butthis it hurts every day."

Bittern said her brother had moved back to Poplar River, about 350 kilometres north of Winnipeg, within the last few years. Hewas the community's main mechanic and regularly helped the fishermen.

She said her family doesn't understand why someone would want to hurt him.

"He had a gentle souljust liked to enjoy time with his friends and family, especially his uncles."

Bruce had no children of his ownbut is missed by his nieces, great-nieces and great-nephew, said Bittern.

The family is holding a one-year memorial for Brucein Winnipeg on July 6.

"I don't think we mourned yet. We're still angry," said Bittern. "What keeps us going is the laughs we had with him."

Anyone with information about Bittern's death is asked to call Poplar River RCMP or Crime Stoppers at1 (800) 222-8477 (TIPS).