'She was loved': Relatives gather in Tulita, N.W.T., for Breanna Menacho and for justice

BreannaMenacho was an auntie, a sister, a daughter and a granddaughter and she was so loved, says her family, who called her Bre.

"Bre loved her parents," said Rena Chapple, Menacho's auntie, who co-ordinated a gathering of relatives in Tulita, N.W.T., on Tuesday to showsupport for thefamily as they grieve and pursue justice.

"We are standing together as one. As a family, we'll stick together and get through this."

The 22-year-old Menacho was reported missing earlier this monthin Yellowknife, after she was last seenMay 5. Police found her body on May 6 in aYellowknife apartment, and a27-year-old man was chargedwith her murder.

On Thursday, RCMP said they had chargedtwo more people in relation to her death. A24-year-old from Fort Liard and a 21-year-old from Yellowknifeare now charged with murder,accessory after the fact.

Menacho was a lovable person and a conversationalist, said her auntie.

"I hear my nieces talking about herand how she put a smile on everyone's face," said Chapple. "Bre makes us laugh."

Chapple recalled a memory of calling Menacho to tell her she was coming into Yellowknife for a visit. She saidMenacho showed up right away to meet her.

Something so tragic like this, it will take a while to heal.- Rena Chapple, Breanna Menacho's auntie

Chapple remembers Menacho dancing as a kid at her grandparents' house, and how she loved to visit with family.

"Bre always had these two little ponytails. Bre would be sitting there and my dad would put on the music, just fiddle or jigging music, and say, 'Bre dance!' And Bre would get up and dance her little ponytails would just be going."

Those memories are something to cherish, she said.

"A lot of her family and her friends and people who had a connection with her, they'll always remember her happiness and that smile. That's a thing we never let go of."

Those good memories will keep the family going with the challenge that lies ahead, Chapplesaid.She said they'll keep showing their support for the family as the trial of the man charged with her murder proceeds.

"We are here for her. We are here for them and to let them know justice will be done," said Chapple. "She was loved. Something so tragic like this, it will take a while to heal."

COVID-19 hindersfamily from travelling to Yellowknife

Chapplesaid she wanted to organize a gathering to support Menacho's parents and entire family. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they're unable to travel to Yellowknife because there are no scheduled flights.

Instead, people gathered in household groups, dressed in red, near Menacho's grandmother's house. The mother of Mariella Lennie, who disappeared in 1991, was also in attendance.

"Family is important, [so we] let them know we're behind them and we'll always be in support, for justice," said Chapple.

Chapple's brother is Menacho's father, who lives outside Tulita. She showed him the photos of the gathering.

"He was very happy we did that," she said.

LISTEN | Familytalks about how Breanna Menacho was 'such a lovableperson'

"Thank you. Mahsi for all the prayers and kind words and everything that people have been doing to support the family, and especially the parents," she said.

Menacho's father has received lots of calls and text messages, said Chapple, who said they are thankful for all the messages of love they have received, and for the support from Tulita.

"It is something that touches everybody's heart when you lose someone you love. There's going to be a trial and we'll be here," she said.

Chapple says she is sending positive energy to Menacho's parents, and that with family, they'll get through it.

"Bre had such a big heart for people, her grandmother, her aunties and her cousins. She meant so much to us and when it happened it was really devastating. She was such a good person."