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UPDATE: Tuccaro family reject RCMP apology

Last Updated Jul 26, 2019 at 11:24 am MDT

Paul Tuccaro gives testimony during the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, in Edmonton Alta, on November 7, 2017. Tuccaro's sister Amber Tuccaro went missing in 2010. Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, commanding officer of the Alberta RCMP, to issue public apology to the family of Amber Tuccaro for how the investigation into the Indigenous woman's homicide was handled. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

The family of Amber Tuccaro, who disappeared nine years ago, rejected the apology from the RCMP for their mishandling of the investigation.

Originally from Fort Chipewyan, Amber Tuccaro was 20 years old in August 2010 when she flew with her family to Edmonton.

The next day, she caught a ride into the city with an unknown man outside her hotel.

Those were her last known whereabouts.

RCMP found her skull in a wooded area two years later.

Her killer remains at large.

Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki told Tuccaro’s family that the investigation did not have the proper urgency or care.

He said it was not in line with RCMP standards and, in his words, “was not our best work.”

An independent federal review found the investigation into Amber Tuccaro’s disappearance was deficient.

In 2017, members of the Tuccaro family testified at the national inquiry for missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Amber’s brother, Paul, spoke about how RCMP disposed of her personal belongings.

Heartfelt apology

Tootsie Tuccaro, Amber’s mother, was critical of the Zablocki and the RCMP during the news conference.

She rejected their apology saying officials were only doing what they were told.

Also, she pointed to the deputy commissioner’s speech saying an apology must be heartfelt.

She added his words meant nothing.

Furthermore, Tootsie Tuccaro highlighted the fact Zablocki left the conference shortly afterwards.

In a follow-up statement, RCMP said he left to attend an all-day meeting with senior provincial staff, although he preferred to stay.

After his apology, Tuccaro’s family unveiled a new poster urging anyone with information that could help solve the case to contact police.