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Few answers in Hay River fatality

Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 1, 2010

HAY RIVER - The family of an Alberta woman laid her to rest in Edmonton not knowing why she fell to her death from a high-rise in Hay River.

NNSL photo/graphic

Melissa Clarkson was the victim of a fatal fall from a high-rise apartment building in Hay River. - photo courtesy of Melanie Clarkson

"It's basically driving me nuts not knowing exactly what happened," said Melanie Clarkson, the identical twin sister of the victim, Melissa Clarkson.

Melanie Clarkson confirmed it was her 26-year-old sister who fell from the Mackenzie Place apartment building in the early-morning hours of Oct. 20.

As they have since the day of the incident, the RCMP is calling the death suspicious.

According to residents of Mackenzie Place, the victim fell from the 12th floor at about 4:30 a.m. One resident heard loud arguing coming from the apartment from which she fell.

Clarkson called the death of her sister "devastating" to her family.

"The way we feel, it's not real," she said. "It's hard to explain. We're taking it pretty well considering, but we're still at that stage where we don't think it's real. It's surreal to us."

She said she hasn't reached her own breaking point yet. "I know it's coming."

Melissa Clarkson, who grew up in the Grande Prairie area, moved to Hay River from Fairview, Alta., about four months ago.

"She moved there basically because her boyfriend's family lives there, and they wanted to be closer to her boyfriend's family," Melanie Clarkson explained.

Her sister worked at a grocery store in Hay River and was doing odd jobs for her landlord to help pay the rent.

Clarkson described her late sister as an "awesome" person - outgoing, bubbly, smart and beautiful.

"She was always there for people," she said. "When people needed someone to talk to, she was that person. She gave great advice."

Clarkson, who lives in Edson, Alta., said her sister made friends in Hay River and liked the community, even though there were a few times when she wanted to go back to Alberta to be closer to family.

Sgt. Wayne Norris, the media relations officer with the RCMP's 'G' Division, said there are no updates on the investigation.

Norris added there are no suspects and no charges in connection with the suspicious death.

The RCMP has released almost no information about the incident, including the name of the victim.

"There's a lot of responsibility on the RCMP in making sure they do things right," Norris said in explaining why the police have not revealed more information, which is being withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.

It is being conducted by the Hay River RCMP with assistance from G Division's major crimes unit and forensic identification services.

The RCMP is asking the general public for assistance in their investigation.

Family and friends have set up a memorial and support network via Facebook under the group name Melissa will be remembered.

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