The life of Briannah Clowes, a mother of four, killed in what police say was a homicide last week, was honored at a somber vigil during which her family members demanded answers and justice over his death.

Dozens of people, including Clowes’ 11-year-old son, gathered outside in the 100 block of The Promenade for a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening to mourn her loss.

The ceremony location, a thoroughfare just north of the Portage Place shopping center, was where Winnipeg police said they found the 28-year-old woman unconscious and life-threatening on the afternoon of October 31.

Clowes was taken to the hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead a short time later.

“She was an honorable, beautiful person who had a kind soul, a loving mother of four children who did not deserve what happened to her,” Shauna Clowes, Briannah’s sister, told CBC News.

Clowes became a young mother at age 16, her sister said, and graduated from high school, then enrolled at Red River College where she became a nurse’s aide.

“She had goals and aspirations for the future, she wanted the best for herself and for her children… and she was brutally deprived of them,” her sister said.

Shauna said she last spoke with her sister on the phone about a month ago. It was a brief conversation, but she said that now these “simple things are so important” to her.

“Those little memories with her, even walking down the street… come back to me.”

‘She changed everyone’s lives’: Clowes’ former partner

Kasandra Flett, the paternal aunt of Clowes’ eldest child, said she faced many challenges growing up but “fought through it and got better” by rising through the ranks to become a member of the St. Boniface Hospital team.

“We’re having a vigil to remember her as a person…whatever path she took in life, we want to remember her life,” Flett said.

A group of women attending the vigil, including mothers, joined in hugging Clowes’ 11-year-old son while drumming and singing prayers.

Red and pink roses, held by some of those present at the vigil, were placed on the ground in front of a panel with photos of Clowes and his family, lit by the flames of several white candles.

Daniel Flett, Clowes’ former partner and father of their 11-year-old son, was at the vigil and said Briannah will be remembered as a wonderful, caring mother, who “found the good in everything” and “always strived for excellence.”

“It’s quite a traumatic loss… you think this could never happen to your loved ones,” he said.

“I’m going through a lot of grief, a lot of sadness, but I have to stay strong for my son and for the rest of the family.”

Clowes’ ex-partner had known her for around 12 years and they last saw each other around a month ago.

“She changed everyone’s lives,” he said. “If I had known how she would have ended up here, I probably would have done what I could to try to get her out of that situation and make sure this never would have happened to her.”

A man changed with 2nd degree murder

Ryan John Kennedy, 32, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Clowes’ death. Police said the two men knew each other, but did not say what type of relationship they had.

Clowes’ family also doesn’t know how the two met or why she was at The Promenade on Halloween, but they are looking for answers about her death.

“What is so important that you have to murder someone? Why was his life taken away at his young age, 28? What made him think that? Was it acceptable to murder him?” asked Clowes’ sister.

“People who were brutally murdered innocently… there should be justice.”

Kasandra Flett said the family is now seeking justice, especially for their children, the youngest of whom will grow up without memory of his mother.

“No one should take someone’s life,” she said.

But her family said that while seeking justice for her death, they wanted people to remember Clowes for the person she was and not for how her life ended.

“Her kindness, she was generous, she had such love for her children, she cared very deeply…her cheeky smile that she always had and the gleam in her eye,” Kasandra Flett said. “We want his memory to be remembered that way.”