Cédrika Provencher's family members are saying they can finally start mourning the death of the nine-year-old girl after her remains were found in Saint-Maurice, near Trois-Rivières, Que.

The Sûreté du Québec, the provincial police force, announced late Saturday that the human remains found in a wooded area by hunters on Friday belonged to the girl, who went missing in 2007.

​The director general of the SQ, Martin Prud'homme, met Cédrika's parents, Martin and Karine Provencher, on Sunday morning.

Martin Prud'homme, director general of the Sûreté du Québec, met Cédrika Provencher's family. (Radio-Canada)

"I've been working on this file since 2007," Prud'homme told reporters afterward. "I wanted to see the parents."

Prud'homme said he offered them his condolences.

He also met investigators and got a progress report on the case. No one has ever been arrested in connection with Cédrika's death.

Prud'homme would not say whether police have any new leads, only that finding the girl's remains is a significant development.

Family starts mourning 'as of today'

Cédrika's father Martin Provencher wrote on Facebook Sunday the family could start mourning at last, thanking everyone for their unwavering support since 2007.

"Without you, we would still be at the same point," wrote Provencher. "You have helped us overcome another step in this horrible tragedy."

Cédrika was last seen on July 31, 2007, near her home in Trois-Rivières. She was reportedly approached by an adult who asked for help to find a missing dog. She was never seen again.

Cédrika was nine at the time.

Henri Provencher, Cédrika's grandfather, wrote on Facebook that the announcement was painful but he thanked the population for their help over the last eight years.

"You have shown great generosity and solidarity in the tragedy that we have been living," wrote Provencher on the Cédrika Provencher Foundation Facebook page.

'We felt it was related to Cédrika'

A trio of hunters found the girl's remains Friday.

Pascal Lanthier told Radio-Canada that they immediately called police.

"We came to meet my brother and when we saw the skull, we felt it was related to Cédrika Provencher," Pascal Lanthier said.

"I am almost always in the forest. I was absolutely certain, I had a feeling that one day I would find her."

Previous Next

The Provencher family has worked closely with the Missing Children's Network since Cédrika's disappearance.

The executive director of that organization, Pina Arcamone, said that Friday's discovery "gives them a certain sense of closure."

Someone out there has that missing piece of the puzzle - Pina Arcamone, executive director of the Missing Children's Network

"They wanted news – good or bad – after eight years," Arcamone said. "They were getting very tired."

"As devastating as the news is...this is an important part of the journey, having found their daughter, bringing her to rest, saying good-bye and moving on with the rest of their lives now," she said. "We have a family that will start mourning, as of today."

The Missing Children's Network exists, in part, to generate tips and new information about missing children's cases, and Arcamone said she's hopeful Cédrika's discovery may prompt someone to come forward with information about her killer.

"We know that someone out there has that missing piece of the puzzle. And I hope that today we're a step closer to resolving that puzzle – for Cédrika, for her family and for the entire [Trois Rivières] community."

Politicians react

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his condolences to the family, saying via Twitter that their grieving process can finally begin.

My heart goes out to the family of Cédrika Provencher. May you finally be able to mourn your daughter and may she rest in peace. —@JustinTrudeau

Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, whose daughter Julie was murdered in 2002, offered his sympathies to the family on Facebook.

"I am convinced that the discovery of the remains of Cédrika is only part of the answer that this family has waited for over the last seven years," wrote Boisvenu.

Boisvenu also called for Quebec to adopt a public registry of convicted sex offenders.

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard sent his condolences to the family via Twitter.

"My thoughts go out to the family and those close to Cédrika Provencher," he said, "that they may grieve in peace."

Mes pensées vont à la famille et aux proches de Cédrika Provencher afin qu'ils puissent vivre leur deuil en paix. —@phcouillard

Parti Québécois MNA Alexandre Cloutier wrote on his Facebook page that the news was devastating.

"All of Quebec searched for this little girl," wrote Cloutier.

"We all wished to find her safe and sound. My condolences to the entire family and her loved ones. May she rest in peace."