MONTREAL - A suspect arrested by Montreal police in connection with the death of a young girl who vanished more than a decade ago was released on Saturday without charges, but investigators provided no explanation as to why.
Police said in a statement the 47-year-old man arrested in connection with Jolene Riendeau's death was released at about 3 a.m. Saturday morning and that no further details on the case would be available until Monday.
Jolene was 10 when she disappeared in April, 1999 from her Montreal neighbourhood. She was last seen outside a convenience store near her home eating a bag of chips after school.
Investigators followed up on 1,500 leads but there were never any breaks in the case until last Wednesday, when her remains were recovered by police.
A spokeswoman for Jolene's family said they are disappointed with the latest development but hope someone will soon be charged.
"It does not mean in anyway that it is over and complete," said Pina Arcamone, executive director of the Missing Children's Network.
"Needless to say that we're all very anxious at this point to know that someone sooner rather will be arrested and charged."
Jolene's story became well known throughout the province as her family and police searched in vain for more than a decade.
Police have not said where they were found the body or where the suspect was arrested, but they are treating the case as a homicide.
The suspect was arrested Friday morning and questioned throughout the day, police said.
The family was planning to hold a funeral service for Jolene in the coming days in the neighbourhood where she grew up.
