The parents of a Canmore woman killed on the Trans-Canadian highway on the morning of her 20th birthday are asking for help from the community.
Ariana Blackwood had been returning home since Sunday night when she was hit and killed by a passing car.
The driver of the car has not been identified yet.
The Blackwood family hopes someone in the area will either know – or have seen – something.
Blackwood was with his sister celebrating his birthday on Saturday night. At one point, as they were leaving the bar on Sunday morning, the couple split up.
Mountis has collected footage from home and business security cameras showing her walking shortly afterwards. She traveled from the Railway Avenue Pub to Bow Valley Road. At one point, she was about half a mile from Canmore Hospital.
Blackwood was hit and killed near the Canmore Visitor Information Center some time later.
Police are still trying to determine its exact route. They say any footage taken near Canmore Hospital and the Canmore Information Center between 2:30 a.m. and 3:50 a.m. on May 1 can help.
“We have an empty space to fill,” Mark Blackwood told CTV News.
“Come forward so we can let Ari rest,” Jody Blackwood added. “She deserves it. It’s very important for us to bring some peace to her.”
‘STAR’
Blackwood’s parents have only great things to say about their daughter.
She studied physics at the University of Waterloo and was a star student and athlete.
From gymnastics to cadets to biathlon, Mark says she’s done everything.
“She was pretty close to perfection and her friends thought the same thing,” he said. “And she was organized. She was planning her life for the week – from the age of 18 to when she was probably retiring.”
Her mother says Blackwood was also a social butterfly. “She came into a room and lit it up,” Jody said. “Just really kind and open to new ideas and accepting new people.”
Blackwood was with his sister celebrating his birthday on Saturday night.
EXTENSIVE DEMAND
Authorities are still searching for the driver and hope more video surveillance information can be gathered from residents and businesses in the area.
“Investigators are looking for any information about the movements of a slender blonde woman wearing light blue jeans and a black shirt with sleeves,” the RCMP said in a statement.
Anyone who has driven through Kenmore on Highway 1 between 3 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. and seen a woman walking in the area can also help.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Canmore RCMP at 403-678-5519. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or using the P3 Tips app, available through the Apple app or the Google Play Store.
“People are starting to come to me, hoping they’ll shut up and heal,” Jody said. “And at the moment I have nothing to give. Please help us if you can.”
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