Human remains found on Sask. reserve believed to be those of missing teen

RCMP announced late Monday night that remains found in a wooded area on the Little Black Bear First Nation are believed to be those of 19-year-old Amber Redman, who disappeared almost three years ago.

"We are currently searching at a scene where we believe the remains of Amber Redman have been found, but that of course will have to await conclusive proof by some further examination and some forensic testing that will have to take place in the days and weeks to come," said Sgt. Brian Jones.

"The scene where we believe Amber's remains are found is an outside location, it's in a wooded area."

Police are also searching a home on the Little Black Bear First Nation, which is about 100 kilometres northeast of Regina. Jones would not say if the home belongs to an unidentified 29-year-old man who has been arrested in connection with Redman's disappearance.

The 5'7" woman was last seen outside a Fort Qu'Appelle bar on July 15, 2005.

Police and members of Redman's home community of Standing Buffalo First Nation scoured the area where she was last seen, as well as along routes to her home on Standing Buffalo.

But the extensive searches failed to turn up any sign of the young woman.

Jones said the area currently being searched for human remains is farther east than Standing Buffalo and he does not believe it was covered in the initial probe after Redman's disappearance. At this point, Jones said investigators aren't aware of a connection between Redman and the suspect.

No charges have been laid and the investigation is continuing.

Last fall, Redman was remembered at a vigil for missing and murdered aboriginal women.

At the time, her mother, Gwenda Yuzicappi, told The Canadian Press that she slept with the phone next to her pillow, anxiously waiting for word about her daughter. Yuzicappi said she needed to hold onto the belief that Redman was alive.

Yuzicappi could not be reached for comment Monday night.

Jones said Redman's family has been updated on the investigation, and said the case is "tinged with sadness."

"(There's) some comfort and some relief that we believe that we will be able to finally provide some answers to the family after two-and-a-half long years, but certainly not the news that any parent would want to hear," said Jones.