By Ian Holmes

‘We need answers:’ family of murdered Nanaimo teen Makayla Chang speak out

Mar 1, 2019 | 6:44 PM

NANAIMO — Family and friends of murdered Nanaimo teen Makayla Chang pleaded for answers during a public event marking what would have been her 18th birthday.

A crowd of about 75 people gathered at Maffeo Sutton Park’s Lions Pavilion Friday evening to share stories and reignite discussion to find Makayla’s killer.

Her body was found on May 18, 2017 at an unknown location, nearly two months after she was reported missing.

An emotional Kerry Chang, Makayla’s father, said he’s disturbed a killer remains on the loose.

“There’s somebody out there whose murdered a child…I’ve never heard of anyone who harms children who harms just one. That’s what’s bothersome to me, they’re walking among us, it’s scary.”

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Chang said life without Makayla is agonizing, but stressed support of family, friends and the community has helped immensely.

He said updates from Nanaimo RCMP on the status of the investigation have slowed down.

“Its tailed off, it went from every week, to every couple weeks, every month and now it’s quite a few months in between. We’re hopeful, I know these things take time,” Chang said.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien attended the event and said the investigation remains active and is a priority file.

No arrests, publicly declared suspects or persons of interest have been named by the RCMP in connection to Makayla Chang’s death since her remains were found.

Michelle Hall went to school with Makayla at John Barsby Secondary. Hall was one of several friends who took in the Friday evening event.

“We need justice for Makayla, there’s a lot of women that go missing and get killed. I think we should take justice and take action to stop this,” Hall told NanaimoNewsNOW.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes