‘We need closure’: community comes together for Tamra Keepness annual BBQ

The disappearance of Tamra Keepness remains a mystery even 20 years later, as more than 100 people gathered to keep her story fresh in people’s minds.

Five-year-old Keepness disappeared from her home in the heritage neighbourhood in 2004, she hasn’t been seen since.

A few blocks from her childhood home is where the annual Tamra Keepness barbecue is held. Everyone from the community is encouraged to join, in the hopes of keeping her memory alive.

For Shylo Stevenson, it’s a day filled with emotions. He was part of the search and rescue initiative two decades ago when she went missing.

“It’s heartwarming and it’s bittersweet as well because of why we’re here,” he said.

“It’s one of Regina’s greatest mysteries. It’s heart-wrenching to know why we’re here but it’s also nice because we have so many people that are here that know and remember the spirit of Tamra and that we’re continuing forward in that direction.”

Many people in the crowd spoke about how Keepness’ disappearance had a silver lining for the community — it brought the police and community members together.

“It brought everybody together but for the wrong reasons, but I’m glad that it’s happening,” Stevenson said. “A lot of barriers are being broken because of it.”

He hopes the annual barbecue will result in someone coming forward with information.

“If anybody knows anything there’s ways of coming forward and sharing it and we need closure,” he said. “But until then we’ll gather like this and remember her spirit and keep it alive.”

Core Community Park is just a short distance away from the home Tamra Keepness grew up in. Hundreds gathered for an annual BBQ to remember her and raise awareness. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)

Natascha Kennedy is the Executive Director with Regina Treaty Status Indian Service Inc. (RT/SIS). For her, the best part of the barbecue is seeing the community come together.

“When she went missing, it was one of the first times I saw community organizations and RPS (Regina Police Service) come together and work collaboratively alongside each other. We do this joint venture so that we can ensure that it was a relationship. That was something Tamra brought together was that sense of community.”

She said Keepness has had a lasting impact on the community.

“We always remember where we were at that time and we remember the situations and the circumstances,” she said. “When we come back we also acknowledge that there was a little girl who went missing and community came together and was worried about her safety and well being.”

Kennedy said the family was in the crowd for the event and felt supported knowing organizations and the community are behind them.

She said RT/SIS continues to be motivated in the search for Tamra.

“I think there’s a lot of little people in our community. So when she went missing there was a lot of people that felt like this is what we need to do, we need to find her and get her home safely.”

Laurel Marshall (left) sports a red apron during the 2024 Tamra Keepness BBQ while preparing food for community members who gathered in Core Community Park to remember the missing girl. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)

A handful of members from the Regina Police Service were also at the barbecue. Many helped prepare food for the hundreds who gathered in Core Community Park, previously known as Pepsi Park.

Laurel Marshall, Executive Officer for the RPS, was one of the people behind the grill.

She said it’s important for the police to come out and show support.

“We continue to support one another and just be a part of this day,” she said. “We want to let the family know that we’re thinking of them as well. Our community relationships are what brings us together and what will move us forward as well.”

While Keepness’ case may be considered cold, it’s still open. Marshall couldn’t comment on how many tips the police receive but said each tip is thoroughly investigated.

“We do encourage people to come forward,” she said. “We always say, ‘somebody knows something.’ So it’s important that they come forward.”

Marshall said the Regina police have not lost hope and stay motivated to find Keepness.

“She’s special in our hearts,” Marshall said. “We don’t want to lose sight of that, so it’s important for us to stay focused and always remember that and look for new ways to approach this.”

A $50,000 reward is still outstanding for any information that might lead to finding Keepness.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Regina Police Service at 306-777-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

It was a bittersweet day in Core Community Park for the 20th anniversary of Tamra Keepness’ disappearance. Kids played on the nearby structure and shared lots of laughs after filling their bellies from the BBQ. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)