Vigil held to remember Helen Gillings

Helen Gillings, a young indigenous woman, was just 19 years-old when she was murdered. Her body was found in a Hamilton alley in 1995. More than 20 years later, no arrests have been made.

A vigil organized by Sisters in Spirit was held this afternoon at the scene where it all happened 23 years ago.

Her naked body was found in an alley on February 17th 1995, under a discarded couch behind a King Street East apartment building, near Emerald Street. She had been strangled.

“I actually stood behind her in No Frills and looked at her beautiful hair. She had beautiful long black hair and I am thinking that girl’s hair is so beautiful and I was standing right behind her and next thing I knew she was dead.” said Stella Woock.

“The people in this neighbourhood never forgot about her.”

The neighbourhood lobbied for a light to be installed in the dark alley where her body was found. It is now known as Helen’s light.

“We made sure that she she was remembered. That was the main thing- that she wasn’t forgotten and she was young and she was beautiful.”

Her killer was never caught.

“With the passage of time it does become more difficult however as I said some people, their circumstances change they feel a less intimidated for whatever reason as time goes on.” said Detective Dave Oleniuk.

Police are hoping that all these years later someone who knows something will come forward. They put out a $10 000 reward after her death, but no charges were ever laid