Discussion Topic
Carolyn Connolly's story
Posted on 02/07/09, 05:29 pm
Carolyn Connolly
November 16 1953 - August 2 2008
Carolyn was a 54 year old Ojibwe woman from Curve Lake First Nation -near Peterborough, ON.
Her shattered life, with an abusive father led her to a life of drugs. This lifestyle led her to do things she didn't want to do, and to go places she never wanted to go.
Carolyn was a sweet woman who would literally give the shirt off her back to a total stranger in need, regardless of race or sex, without asking a question.
Many women have commented on how she got them off the street, telling young prostitutes that they were not street smart and would not survive out there.
Up to her death, Carolyn struggled with addiction, wanting to get clean for her children and the grandson, Ryan, who she adored.
She was extremely proud of her two daughters, Connie and Annie and was forever grateful to her ex husband and his family for raising her "two girls" as she referred to them, in a good way, in a loving home.
Carolyn never judged anyone she met and desperately wanted others to see her as the true person she was: a kind woman with a heart of gold, who loved all, and just wanted to be loved and respected in return.
She didn't have much reason to trust many in life, and it took her awhile to trust people she met. When she looked at you, people say, she would stare right into your eyes, almost as though she were looking into your soul to see if you could be trusted.
At her memorial her housing worker spoke of how when she first met him, she BEGGED him to find her a place to live. She had hit rock bottom and she knew if she didn't get off the streets she would die.
When he found her an apt. she arrived at his office to sign the lease with two other friends from the street, asking him to please find them a home as well because they ,too, would die on the streets unless they had a home.
This was so typical of Carolyn, always thinking of others!
On August 2, 2008 at 7:30 AM a man walking his dog, found her body sprawled out in an alleyway at Shuter and Seaton Sts. in Toronto.
Later, the media reported that neighbours heard her screams. One neighbour actually told the media that he heard awful screams at 2:30 AM -so loud that they woke his daughters and wife up, terrifying them.
NO ONE CALLED POLICE!!
Carolyn's autopsy shows she had been beaten to a pulp and stabbed multple times in the heart. She was so badly beaten, she was unable to have an open casket and police advised her daughters not to view her body prior to the funeral.
Photos of the crime scene show that she was already down on the ground when she was so brutally stabbed.
This crime is not yet solved but police have some good leads.
The family is setting up a reward fund for information leading to the arrests and convictions of those responsible for her murder. Her story is told at http://www.missingnativewomen.org/... where over 630 Aboriginal women across Canada have gone missing or have been murdered. Like Carolyn, MOST of these cases remain UNSOLVED.
We meet to hold vigil the first Saturday of each month at Shuter and Sherbourne Streeets in Toronto, walk down Seaton St. to the alley way where she was murdered to let her know we have not forgotten her and we will return each month until her killers are arrested and brought to justice.
Carolyn is deeply missed by her family, extended family, and friends.
Carolyn was my cousin.
November 16 1953 - August 2 2008
Carolyn was a 54 year old Ojibwe woman from Curve Lake First Nation -near Peterborough, ON.
Her shattered life, with an abusive father led her to a life of drugs. This lifestyle led her to do things she didn't want to do, and to go places she never wanted to go.
Carolyn was a sweet woman who would literally give the shirt off her back to a total stranger in need, regardless of race or sex, without asking a question.
Many women have commented on how she got them off the street, telling young prostitutes that they were not street smart and would not survive out there.
Up to her death, Carolyn struggled with addiction, wanting to get clean for her children and the grandson, Ryan, who she adored.
She was extremely proud of her two daughters, Connie and Annie and was forever grateful to her ex husband and his family for raising her "two girls" as she referred to them, in a good way, in a loving home.
Carolyn never judged anyone she met and desperately wanted others to see her as the true person she was: a kind woman with a heart of gold, who loved all, and just wanted to be loved and respected in return.
She didn't have much reason to trust many in life, and it took her awhile to trust people she met. When she looked at you, people say, she would stare right into your eyes, almost as though she were looking into your soul to see if you could be trusted.
At her memorial her housing worker spoke of how when she first met him, she BEGGED him to find her a place to live. She had hit rock bottom and she knew if she didn't get off the streets she would die.
When he found her an apt. she arrived at his office to sign the lease with two other friends from the street, asking him to please find them a home as well because they ,too, would die on the streets unless they had a home.
This was so typical of Carolyn, always thinking of others!
On August 2, 2008 at 7:30 AM a man walking his dog, found her body sprawled out in an alleyway at Shuter and Seaton Sts. in Toronto.
Later, the media reported that neighbours heard her screams. One neighbour actually told the media that he heard awful screams at 2:30 AM -so loud that they woke his daughters and wife up, terrifying them.
NO ONE CALLED POLICE!!
Carolyn's autopsy shows she had been beaten to a pulp and stabbed multple times in the heart. She was so badly beaten, she was unable to have an open casket and police advised her daughters not to view her body prior to the funeral.
Photos of the crime scene show that she was already down on the ground when she was so brutally stabbed.
This crime is not yet solved but police have some good leads.
The family is setting up a reward fund for information leading to the arrests and convictions of those responsible for her murder. Her story is told at http://www.missingnativewomen.org/... where over 630 Aboriginal women across Canada have gone missing or have been murdered. Like Carolyn, MOST of these cases remain UNSOLVED.
We meet to hold vigil the first Saturday of each month at Shuter and Sherbourne Streeets in Toronto, walk down Seaton St. to the alley way where she was murdered to let her know we have not forgotten her and we will return each month until her killers are arrested and brought to justice.
Carolyn is deeply missed by her family, extended family, and friends.
Carolyn was my cousin.
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Reply #1 02/13/09 11:05am
I am so sorry for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful woman. Her daughters should be proud. -
Reply #2 02/14/09 9:41am
Thank you Joanne. Yes Carolyn was loved by everyone who knew her. the detectives have shared that they haven't heard a bad word in reference to her by anyone they interviewed. still no arrests. -
Reply #3 02/14/09 9:42am
Thank you Joanne. Yes Carolyn was loved by everyone who knew her. the detectives have shared that they haven't heard a bad word in reference to her by anyone they interviewed. still no arrests. -
Reply #4 02/14/09 10:55am
Not many people can say that. The average person makes many mistakes in their lifetime. That's just life - live and learn. Your cousin was a remarkable person. Perhaps she learned from other's mistakes! = )
I hope your family finds some answers soon.
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Reply #5 02/15/09 12:59am
I am so sorry that your cousin was taken in such a way. It never makes any sense that someone could do such a thing to another human being and just walk away. I am glad that you are able to honor her memory. I hope they find the monster who did this soon. -
Reply #6 03/08/09 9:45am
thank you all. i hold a vigil the first saturday of every month at Carolyn's crime scene. Yesterday a videographer from GtA"S most wanted tv show shot some footage of us. i will be interviewed tomorrow and it should go to air next week. It will also be available online apparently so I will post the url when I know for sure.
Its been seven months now and still no arrests. Carolyn's eldest daughter is about to deliver her second child. It would be good to have this solved before then but i have total faith in the detectives on this case. They assure me they are actively working on her case and will see it solved.
Carolyn visited a psychic and told her that when I have surgery on March 18th ( total knee replacement) she will be with me in the operating room but she doesn't want me to worry when I see her there, she is just going to be there watching over me.
I wish she would visit me in my dreams. there are so many unanswered questions.
i need to be more patient i guess.
Seven months is a long time but nowhere as long as some families wait for justice.
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