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Justice For Arlene Westervelt

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I am Debbie Hennig, the beneficiary of this campaign. On June 26, 2016, my beautiful sister Arlene Westervelt lost her life during a canoeing trip on Okanagan Lake with her husband Bert Westervelt. 

Arlene was a vibrant, compassionate person who spent her life caring for others as a registered nurse. More than anything, Arlene loved the outdoors and being on the water. She was an experienced canoeist who always wore a life vest even though she was a very good swimmer. Arlene’s death by accidental drowning on a perfect summer day made no sense. 

On April 5, 2019 the Kelowna RCMP, following evidence review by high level Crown Prosecutors, charged Bert for Arlene’s murder. After years of torment over the suspicious death of our loved one, I finally believed that justice would be done for Arlene.

On July 14, 2020 our world again shattered when the BC Prosecution Service told me that it had decided to Stay the murder charge. The circumstances and reasons for that decision remain totally unclear. To this day, Kelowna RCMP maintain they have sufficient evidence to prove that Bert murdered Arlene. 

Given what the RCMP told me, it is clear that the “new evidence” reported by Crown to the media (see the last link below) to justify their decision to Stay the charge did not come from the RCMP officers in charge of the investigation. So what changed and what is being done to deal with it?  

My efforts to get those questions answered have led me all the way up to the Prime Minister’s office who directed me to the BC Justice Minister. After repeated requests for answers and follow-up by the Minister’s office, I am left with even more unanswered questions.  

Thankfully Arlene’s case was picked up by the media (links below). As my sister’s story gets told, people are coming out with more information. They are directed to contact Kelowna RCMP at [phone redacted].

The CTV National News Magazine program “W5” is now doing its own investigation and I remain hopeful that the BC Justice Minister will truly look into this case. Regardless, my fight for Justice for Arlene will continue until the full truth is known.  

Your donation will be used for the sole purpose of uncovering what happened to stay these charges, holding those in power to account, and ensuring justice is served.

For more information or to contact me, go to our Facebook group: Justice for Arlene https://www.facebook.com/Justice-For-Arlene-100319301813583

With heartfelt thanks,
Debbie Hennig 

https://globalnews.ca/news/5139058/lake-country-husband-charged-with-murder-in-connection-with-wifes-drowning/

 https://www.google.ca/amp/s/globalnews.ca/news/5144244/lake-country-man-accused-killing-wife-charges/amp/

https://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/accused-lake-country-wife-killer-granted-bail/

https://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/suspected-lake-country-wife-killer-appears-in-court/ 

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/globalnews.ca/news/6184376/okanagan-lake-murder-charge-heads-to-preliminary-hearing/amp/ 

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/globalnews.ca/news/7180551/okanagan-man-released-murder-charge/amp/
 
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/globalnews.ca/news/7335466/arlene-westervelt-suspicious-death/amp

Thank you for your interest and support.

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Organizer

Debbie Hennig
Organizer
Québec, QC

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