Cash reward increased as the 30-year-anniversary of Sonya Cywink murder is marked
![083024_Fire circle A sacred fire ceremony for missing and murdered Indigenous women, August 30, 2024 (Sean Irvine, CTV News London)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/8/30/083024_fire-circle-1-7020642-1725046386025.jpg)
It has been 30 years since the discovery of the body of 31-year-old Sonya Cywink.
She was discovered murdered at the Southwold Earthworks National Historic Site south of Iona, Ont. on August 30, 1994.
Sonya had last been seen alive four days earlier in London's Old East Village. She was pregnant at the time.
On Friday, her sister, investigators, elders, and the public marked her passing with a traditional sacred fire ceremony.
While Sonya's murder remains unsolved, the resolve of her sister Meggie Cywink to find her killer is unrelenting.
"I keep telling people getting a conviction is not as important to me anymore as it is to find out what happened to my sister. Why did someone want to take her life? What were the last days and moments of her life?"
Meggie Cywink is seen during a Sacred Fire Ceremony in honour of her murdered sister Sonya, August 30, 2024 (Sean Irvine, CTV News London)
Meggie has long had the support of some of the original investigators on the case.
For a time, they feared a killer might never be found, but over the past few years, things have changed.
"There's been progress," said Chris Gheysen, a retired OPP investigator "I mean, over time, people are less fearful of retribution and more apt to talk. And they're most apt to talk to a family member, in this case, Meg."
"There are things that come up, there are still stones unturned," said lawyer Jessica Zita.
She is a Toronto-based lawyer who signed on to the case after witnessing Meggie's passionate fight for justice.
"30 years is no small number", she said. "And to keep pushing the needle on this investigation that a lot, or many, many others, more than not, would have given up on long ago is inspiring."
Before the traditional ceremony, Meggie announced a cash reward offered for information leading to Sonya's killer has been increased from $60,000 to $75,000.
She is hopeful it might be enough for anyone holding a dark secret to come forward.
"I think after 30 years there are people who still know something. There are still people who are wanting to unburden themselves - and I believe we're at a crossroads. "
Friday's ceremony was not limited to Sonya's case, as the faces of other missing and murdered Indigenous women were on display.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7020128.1725025811!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
DEVELOPING 'Unimaginable tragedy': NHL's Johnny Gaudreau, brother killed while in N.J. for sister's wedding
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau was killed Thursday night in what the team is calling an 'unimaginable tragedy.'
BREAKING Top Brazilian judge orders suspension of X platform in Brazil amid feud with Musk
A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Friday ordered the suspension of Elon Musk's social media giant X in Brazil after the tech billionaire refused to name a legal representative in the country, according to a copy of the decision seen by The Associated Press
'It's absolutely terrifying': Sask. small town struggling with several dog attacks
The mayor of Allan is voicing frustrations over a group of aggressive dogs, saying they've become a threat to community safety.
Julian Ortega, actor in Netflix's 'Elite' series, dies aged 41
Spanish actor Julian Ortega, known for appearing in popular Spanish-language Netflix drama series 'Elite,' has died, the country's actors and actresses union has announced. He was 41.
A toddler cried non-stop during a flight. Two strangers locked her in the bathroom
Two airline passengers who locked a stranger's crying grandchild in a plane restroom have caused outrage in China and sparked a heated online debate on how to handle upset children in public spaces.
Scotiabank confirms another outage, this time affecting online accounts
Scotiabank has confirmed reports of another outage after July's disruption to direct deposits, this time affecting user logins to online accounts.
'Completely gutted': Calgary Flames react to Johnny Gaudreau's death
There is tragedy in the hockey world Friday morning as the Columbus Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau, formerly of the Calgary Flames, and his brother Matthew were killed in a crash.
What a weekend snooze could do for your heart health, according to new research
When it comes to maintaining a regular sleep schedule, sometimes a busy week can throw everything out of whack even when you have the best of intentions.
Neighbour held in disappearance of couple from California nudist resort. Both believed to be dead
Police used a tanklike vehicle with a battering ram to smash into a Southern California home and arrest the next-door neighbour of a couple living in a nudist community who were reported missing earlier this week, officials said Friday.