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Valemount
2024-07-15 08:43 PDT
File # 2023-580
Valemount RCMP are renewing its call for public assistance in solving a tragic hit and run incident that resulted in the death of Claire Newman, a respected member of the Merritt and Logan Lake communities. The incident occurred on July 4, 2023, shortly before midnight.
(Original news release)
Claire Newman, who served as a city councilor in Merritt and as the President of the Logan Lake City Council Community Forest for 14 years, was struck by an unidentified vehicle. Despite exhaustive efforts by the RCMP and community, the person remains at large.
Lauren Newman, Claire’s daughter, recently made a heartfelt plea on camera, urging anyone with information to come forward. In her emotional appeal, she said:
"With the year marker coming up of my mom's passing, we have come through a lot of rough challenges over this year. We have had her service on September 2023. Lots of people came and said beautiful things and were very honoring of her. But I would say not having my mother to talk to and be there to give me that advice really is a hard thing to deal with and shouldn't have been this way that she passed."
She continued, emphasizing the importance of doing the right thing:
"Car accidents happen all the time. Things happen all the time. But that doesn't mean you can't do the right thing and come forward and give people the closure they need. If anybody knows anything or has any leads or tips, please contact the Valemount RCMP.
Video description: Lauren Newman, daughter of hit-and-run victim, plea for information.
00:00:00,000 - 00:00:01,418Hi my name is Lauren Newman.
00:00:01,418 - 00:00:04,421I am Claire Newman's daughter of
00:00:04,421 - 00:00:09,008current city councilor Merritt, British Columbia.
00:00:09,008 - 00:00:12,011She was also part of Logan Lake City Council Community
00:00:12,011 - 00:00:15,014Forest president for 14 years and
00:00:15,014 - 00:00:18,433her passing happened from a hit and run accident
00:00:18,433 - 00:00:29,026in July 2023, July 4th at 11 almost midnight.
00:00:29,026 - 00:00:31,445And we're just looking for someone
00:00:31,445 - 00:00:34,448basically if they have any tips or leads
00:00:34,448 - 00:00:40,036or any piece of mind that can maybe
00:00:40,036 - 00:00:45,040give families friends some peace of mind.
00:00:45,040 - 00:00:48,001We would like someone to come forward or reach out
00:00:48,001 - 00:00:53,006and give their following tips or leads please.
00:00:53,423 - 00:00:55,424With the year marker coming up of
00:00:55,424 - 00:00:59,428my mom's passing, we have come through
00:00:59,428 - 00:01:02,014a lot of rough challenges,
00:01:02,040 - 00:01:04,015you could say over this year.
00:01:04,015 - 00:01:11,021We have had her service and that was in September 2023.
00:01:11,021 - 00:01:13,440Lots of people came said beautiful things
00:01:13,440 - 00:01:17,027and very honouring of her.
00:01:17,027 - 00:01:24,033But I would say not having my mother to talk to
00:01:24,033 - 00:01:26,035and be there to give me that advice
00:01:26,035 - 00:01:30,038really is a hard thing to deal with and not
00:01:32,000 - 00:01:36,002Shouldn't have been this way that she passed.
00:01:37,420 - 00:01:42,00717 and my best friend passed from a car accident too.
00:01:42,007 - 00:01:45,010Car accidents happen all the time.
00:01:45,010 - 00:01:46,011Cancers happen all the time.
00:01:46,011 - 00:01:49,013You name it happens all the time,
00:01:49,013 - 00:01:51,015but that doesn't mean you can't
00:01:51,015 - 00:01:52,433do the right thing and come forward
00:01:52,433 - 00:01:59,022and give people that closure that they need.
00:01:59,439 - 00:02:01,024If anybody again please
00:02:01,024 - 00:02:04,444knows anything or on any leads or tips,
00:02:04,444 - 00:02:07,029please contact the Valemount RCMP
00:02:07,029 - 00:02:14,035or you can even go on Facebook and find me through Facebook.
00:02:14,035 - 00:02:17,038There are so many ways you can reach out
00:02:17,038 - 00:02:21,042and get this out, so please just help.
The RCMP is urging anyone with information about the incident, no matter how minor it may seem, to contact the Valemount RCMP Detachment at (250) 566-4466 or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.
The community's assistance is crucial in bringing closure to the family and ensuring justice for Claire Newman. The RCMP is committed to resolving this case and appreciates any help the public can provide.
Released by:
Email: james.grandy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
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