Twelve years, no closure for family
Leslie Conrad’s daughters want mother’s murder solved
Flowers, love and a smile that could light up a room — these are what come to mind for sisters Leah and Lacey Conrad when they think of their mother, Leslie Conrad.
They see bits of her in themselves and remember her fondly. The memories are all they have left of their mother, who was killed in 2006.
Leslie Conrad was murdered and her body found by chance six weeks after she went missing. Her case remains unsolved after 12 years and her daughters are still looking for answers.
“We know there is someone out there with answers, and we need everyone to know that this is still very much an open investigation,” said Leah Conrad.
Leslie Conrad was 45 when she was reported missing Oct. 5, 2006
and her body was found Nov. 22, 2006 in a shallow grave on a woodlot owned by the sisters’ grandparents near Melanson Road in Lower Wolfville.
The grave was found by a hunter.
“She’s not coming back — we fully understand that — but at this point, it’s how do we get to that next step,” said Leah Conrad.
They say it’s not about finding peace for themselves and siblings Nadea and Kenny, but rather justice for their mother, and for the loss they’ve felt since she was taken from them.
Both agree they’ve yet to meet someone more kind, or more loving, than their mother.
“She was the sweetest woman. If she smiled, the room would light up — she just had the biggest heart. If you needed a hug, she would be there. Every phone call we would end with ‘I love you,’” said Lacey Conrad.
The two women say it is still hard to talk about their mother, but they do it anyway because it’s the best way to honour her memory.
“By saying Leslie’s name, and talking about her, she gets to continue living. At times it is hard for us to do, but I don’t want people to forget her,” said Leah Conrad.
Leah Conrad hopes that talking about Leslie not only keeps her memory alive, but encourages people who knew her to keep searching for any small piece of information that could lead to a break in her case.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jennifer Clarke confirmed the investigation into Leslie Conrad’s murder remains ongoing, and that it is still “on the mind of police.”
Results from the RCMP investigation determined Leslie Conrad died as a result of foul play. Despite the investigation’s extensive nature, no criminal charges have been laid in connection with her death.
“The last time we appealed to the public for information about Leslie’s murder, some individuals did come forward with information,” said Const. Dayle Burris in a release.
The case has also been added to the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes list, which offers rewards of up to $150,000 for information on unsolved cases that leads to a conviction.