With the inquiry for Chris Alexander Falconer set for today, yet another chapter in the Amber Kirwan story begins.
It’s been a year and four months since Kirwan’s fateful trip from a New Glasgow pool hall on that Autumn night. Below is a timeline of events beginning on Oct. 9, 2011 until the present day.
Monday, Feb. 11, 2013
- A 15-day preliminary inquiry for Falconer, accused of kidnapping and murdering 19-year-old Amber Kirwan in October 2011, will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Monday.
Tuesday, October 9
- Monument to Amber Kirwan unveiled. The monument has a large iron gate with the shape of a heart in the centre, a photograph of Kirwan with "Amber Kirwan Pictou County's Angel" imprinted on the photo and an engraving in the monument that says "For all the women, men and children who have lost their lives to senseless tragedy."
Thursday, July 26
- The Town of New Glasgow and a local citizens group have reached an agreement on the construction of a monument to be placed on the Samson Trail in honour of Amber Kirwan. The monument designed was unveiled on this day.
Thursday, May 17
- Charges made in connection with the case. Falconer was arraigned on a first-degree murder charge that allegedly took place between Oct. 9 and Nov. 5 and a kidnapping charge that allegedly occurred on Oct. 9 at or near New Glasgow.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
- Falconer arrested at Dorchester Penitentiary where he was serving time for a parole violation in connection with a second-degree murder conviction unrelated to the Kirwan homicide.
Sunday, Nov. 6
- The search came to an end when RCMP and New Glasgow Regional Police Service officials confirmed that Kirwan's remains were found in Heathbell, Pictou County, and immediately launched a homicide investigation.
Saturday, Nov. 5
• Police close off Heathbell road and begin another search.
• Remains are found in a wooded area on the farm property.
Tuesday, Nov. 1
• Amber's mother Marjorie with her husband by her side made a public plea for the safe return of their daughter. She said Amber was "sweet and innocent."
Sunday, Oct. 16
• Police finish search in Heathbell but continue to search waters at Big Gut Bridge for a few days.
Saturday, Oct. 15
• Police search areas in Heathbell and Big Gut Bridge in Pictou Landing.
Thursday, Oct. 13
• 11 a.m. - Friends begin making and selling green ribbons to raise awareness and donations. Billboards with missing posters are erected in various parts of the county. Posters are handed out at local businesses to motorists and pedestrians.
• 2:45 p.m. - New Glasgow Police ask RCMP Major Crime Unit for assistance in the investigation.
Wednesday, Oct. 12
• Noon - Friends begin collecting donations for the Kirwan family and Campbell.
• 3 p.m. - Police confirm they have collected numerous articles of clothing during the search, which will be sent for forensic testing to see if they belonged to Amber.
Tuesday, Oct. 11
• 9 a.m. - Police begin searching door to door, bus shelters, taxis, buses and neighbourhood in downtown New Glasgow.
• 2 p.m. - Police search vacant buildings with the help of a police dog along the outskirts of New Glasgow and in Trenton.
• 7 p.m. - County residents begin a campaign to leave porch lights on to guide Amber home.
Monday, Oct. 10
• 7 a.m. - New Glasgow Police send a notice to media that they are searching for a missing person. Ground Search and Rescue is called in to search the area. Friends begin searching the area themselves and hanging missing posters in the area.
Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011
• 1:30 a.m. - Amber calls her boyfriend, Mason Campbell, to meet her at Big Al's using a phone borrowed from a friend. She tells her friends she's OK to walk from Dooly's to the convenience store. She never reaches her destination.
• 1:40 a.m. - Campbell arrives at Big Al's; he says it took about eight minutes for him to get there. Amber isn't there; he calls the phone she used to call him to see if she's still there. He has no luck finding her.
• Morning - Campbell contacts Amber's friends to see if they know where Amber might be. No one has seen her.
• 5 p.m. - Family members go to New Glasgow Police to report Amber missing. A Facebook group is started to raise awareness.
