SPRUCE GROVE – Crimebeat – RCMP request the public’s assistance on the investigation into the Jolene Cote Homicide, The investigation has revealed that on October 12, 2011 at approximately 6:57 p.m., Jolene Cote attended the Edmonton Soccer Centre located at 175415 – 106 A Avenue to participate in a soccer game. At approximately, 9:49 p.m. she left the Edmonton Soccer Center in her 2002 silver Jeep Liberty and stopped at a retail store in Edmonton located on Stony Plain Road NW.
Spruce Grove RCMP state, “She purchased some items and then left the store at approximately 10:40 p.m. This was the last known location of Jolene Cote until she was discovered deceased on October 13, 2011 at 6:05 a.m. by her husband. The items purchased at the retail store were found in the vehicle. Police are requesting assistance from anyone who may have seen Jolene or her vehicle between the time she left the retail store to the time she was found deceased”.
RCMP are also requesting any information on three unique pieces of jewelry which is missing from the family home. The investigation has been unable to determine whether or not, Jolene Cote had these three pieces of jewelry with her during the time of the murder. The first two pieces of jewelry was a set of rings (2 rings in total that were sold as a set). The first ring is described as an engagement ring with a solitary diamond and a white and yellow gold band. The second ring was a wedding band made with yellow gold which went with the engagement ring. The third piece of jewelry was a necklace with silver chain and a diamond pennant.
Rhonda Berg, sister of Jolene Cote has now announced that the private reward of $25,000 has now been increased to $50,000. The reward is in relation to any information which leads up to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the homicide of Jolene Cote. The RCMP supports the family members and their initiatives to stimulate any information that may further the on-going investigation.
Rhonda Berg shares, “After 3 months of fund raising our family is now able to increase the reward we have offered for the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible Jolene’s homicide. This reward has been funded by donations from family, friends, and strangers from across the province to the Jolene Cote Memorial Trust Fund, and by a major fund raising effort organized by a group of volunteers from Spruce Grove”.
In an open letter, Berg adds, “Jolene touched the lives of many people, not only her family, friends, students, co-workers, and teammates, but many other people who never had the chance to really know her. The success of the fundraiser is another reflection on just how much of an impact her death has had on everyone who knew her and many people who didn’t. What started as a posting of a fund raising idea on Facebook, quickly grew to a meeting of strangers around a kitchen table who volunteered countless hours, and then to a two night major fund raising event combining a comedy show and huge silent auction at the Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove. Kenny Valgardson, Graham Neil, Paul Sveen and Rex Hay graciously donated their talents for the show. Several hundred businesses from around the province donated to the silent auction. Countless individuals have made cash donations.
“In the midst of our family’s grief, at a time when our lives are so shaken and we feel so much sadness, it is comforting to feel surrounded by love from so many people. We have so much gratitude for the overwhelming kindness, generosity & support of so many people and we thank-you from the bottom of our hearts.
“Our family is now raising the reward we have offered to $50,000.00 with the hopes that someone will decide to come forward with information about Jolene’s homicide. We are pleading with anyone who has any information about Jolene’s homicide to please call Crime Stoppers or the RCMP. Please think back to the evening of October 12, 2011 or the days to follow, any tip no matter how small may help. It has been 3 months since this horrible crime and we are still not able to begin to move on with our lives because we are constantly tortured by the thoughts of who would do this and why? We all deserve to know that whoever committed this crime is caught and not able to harm anyone else”.
The RCMP would like anyone who has information in relation to this investigation to contact the Stony Plain RCMP at 780-968-7267. Should individuals wish to remain anonymous please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or utilize the Crime Stoppers Website at www.crimestoppers.ab.ca