Simone Sanderson's family has 'serious concerns' about police investigation

The grandmother of Simone Sandersonbroke down in tears as she spoke about her disappointment with how police have handled the investigation into the young woman'sdeath.

Betty-Ann Sandersonaccused the police of using "false labels" in calling Simoneasex trade worker and of creating anegative image of her life inthe media.

"Nobody should have to feel like I do now," she said, sobbing and urging police to improve how they deal with families of murdered and missing women.

"I am hurt because I was left out."

She said the family hasn't been consulted very much in the 3 years since Simone'sbody was found covered in cardboard at the southwest corner of Burrows Avenue and Main Street on Sept. 2, 2012.

While the 23-year-old woman has been described as an addict and sex trade worker, SandersonsaidSimone was actuallysomeone who wanted to bring hope to the homeless andto spread the gospel of Christ to them. She saidSimonehaddesignedpamphlets with scripture to hand out.

"She was a loving person. She loved people."

RAW: Betty Ann Sanderson upset with the way Winnipeg police handled the investigation into her granddaughter's death

9 years ago

Duration 1:30

Simone Sanderson's family isn't happy with the way Winnipeg police handled the investigation into her death. Tuesday police announced they had arrested Kyllan Ellis in connection with her murder in 2012. Family members say they gave his name and other evidence to police last year.

On Tuesday, police saidKyllanJamesEllis, 28, ofLorette, Man., has been charged with second-degree murder.

Hewas arrested Monday night and police obtained a DNA sample from him that iscurrently being analyzed and compared toDNA found during the investigation.

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DeputyChief DannySmythsaidinvestigators believeSimone, who died of blunt force trauma,was killed after an argument with Ellis became violent. He also said investigators believe the twodidn't know each other prior to the encounter.

Simone's family members say they received a tip about Ellis last year and gavepolice his name, along with some other evidence, but never received any follow-up. Frustrated by thatlack of communication, the family hired aprivate investigator to chase the case.

Since then, they say they have found evidence suggesting "apathy" on the part of police, indicating the case wasn't takenseriously enough.

Private investigatorJanie Duncan says she has interviewed twopeople that saw Simone on the afternoon ofAug. 28, 2012, even though policesaidshewas last seen alive on Aug. 26.

She also said police have not bothered to seize surveillance footage from a home where Simone was seen that day.

Duncan also said Simone told family she had been forced to become a police informant after crack cocaine was found in her apartment in spring 2012, which could suggest a motive for the slaying.

"We believe there is a cover up. We have serious concerns about the police investigation," she said.

"What we are here to say is that the Winnipeg police investigation was seriously flawed and we will be continuing our investigation in hopes of finding the true killer."

However, Sandersonand other family membersappeared to contradict that suggestion.

"[I am]trusting that they in fact have been doing their job and that we'll be able to have some closure," added relativeNikita Campbell.

At the same time, Campbell and Sanderson say there are still answers they want and will keep forging ahead with Duncan.

"We don't think [Simone]was just picked up one day and beaten to death. We [believe] there was something that led to that and that's what we want to know those facts, those details," Campbell said.

"We just want to make sure that all of the evidence they have on their end is leading to some real justice here."

Added Sanderson: "I hope they are right and my family can be at peace, but until I hear a guilty verdict I am going to keep looking. I will not sit and wait."

'We expect to be criticized'

Asked about the criticisms, police spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen said he could not go into specific details about the police investigation but he defended the job police did, sayingthe service'sdedication and its officers are"second-to-none."

"We worked tirelessly for a long period of time to identify and then ultimately be in a position to hold someone accountable where we could lay charges and we are very proud of that fact," he said.

"Our goal each and every time is to hold people accountable for these horrific crimes, these violent crimes. It was no different in this case."

He understands, and expects, the police service to be under scrutiny, especially during highly-emotional cases.

"We have chosen a profession where we are expected to be held at a very high regard, I think higher than many other professions," Michalyshen said.

"We expect to be challenged, we expect to be criticized, we realize that how we do business isn't always understood. We have to respectfully acknowledge that, and we do."