EDMONTON - The mother of a 19-year old girl found dead in Edmonton in March, and whose remains went unidentified for two weeks, says her family moved south from Gjoa Haven five years ago for a brighter future.

Kerry "Bunn" Takkiruq, 19, originally from Gjoa Haven, was found dead by staff at the Riverside Golf Course in Edmonton on March 31. - submitted photo

Kerry "Bunn" Takkiruq, 19, was found dead by staff at the Riverside Golf Course in Edmonton on March 31. Her body was identified on April 15 with the help of tips from the public after police released photographs of her clothing. The cause of death is undetermined pending toxicology results but the Edmonton Police Service is considering her death suspicious.

Her mother, Cecilia Anguttitauruq, said Kerry was close to her brothers Charlie and Nelson.

"She was a loving, happy person. Everybody loved her. Everybody was friends with her. She was a fun-loving girl. When I was sad, she would make me happy," she said. "We just think of her every day. She used to be like my best friend. I was with her every day, every single day. We will be missing her beautiful smile and her happiness."

Kerry Ellie Pooyatak Hakitak Takkiruq, who also went by the nickname Bunn, was originally from Gjoa Haven but had been living for five years in Edmonton.

Anguttitauruq said she wanted to get away from Gjoa Haven after her husband committed suicide about eight years ago. With plans of a better job and education opportunities for her and her family, she she left the North for Edmonton with her younger son Charlie. Three to four months later, Kerry joined the family in Alberta, and later so did Nelson. Takkiruq attended Jasper Place Composite High School in Edmonton for a time.

"It was such a big change for her, she hardly went (to school,)" said her mother.

Takkiruq gave birth to a son, now 18 months old, who was placed in a foster home.

Anguttitauruq said she last saw her daughter on March 28 or 29 at Edmonton's Greyhound depot.

Kerry's aunt, Carol Joy Takkiruq, said she last saw her niece when she, her husband and their two daughters flew to Edmonton for medical purposes last December. She described Kerry as a "nice and kind and loving" person. Carol Joy said she will remember her smile.

"I have never seen her mad before. I loved her so much. She was like a daughter to me," she said.

Carol Joy said she told Kerry to stay with her in Gjoa Haven but she never replied. In Edmonton, she met up with Kerry and her mother at the hotel and they seemed OK, said Carol Joy.

"They don't tell us anything at all. We were just glad to see them and everything," she said. "As we were leaving, I felt a funny feeling. I looked back and I couldn't look away from them anymore but we just went."

The family would like to hold the funeral in Gjoa Haven as more family and friends are there but arrangements have yet to be finalized.

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