Why Amber Kirwan Reminds Me Of Kimberly McAndrew

As you are aware by now, the remains of missing teen Amber Kirwan have been found. Now, the family can finally lay their darling daughter to rest and hopefully, we will all learn the true story behind her death.

Whenever a story of a missing person makes news, especially a young woman,  I am catapulted back to the mysterious disappearance of Kimberly McAndrew.  In grade 12, Kimberly's locker was just down the hall from mine. I distinctly remember that Kimberly was petite, pretty and very shy. As pretty as she was, she was not one to garner a bunch of attention as she appeared to prefer to hang in the background.  Or at least, that was always my impression of her. 

A year after graduation, I was working in a sports equipment store in Penhorn Mall when this handsome young guy my age comes into the store. He held up a photo of a pretty girl and asked if I had seen her. I said no.  He said she had been seen in that mall (Penhorn) and asked again if I was sure I hadn't seen her. I felt terrible telling him no. The stress on his face was heartbreaking.

It wasn't until later that I realized that the girl in the photo was Kimberly McAndrew. Her hair was much longer than I remembered and I hadn't even known her last name before that time, given that there were around 400 students in my graduating class.  Naturally, I was shocked that the sweet, shy girl I remembered was in fact this missing person.

Ever since, whenever there has been an update or look back in the media of the Kimberly McAndrew case,  I am always interested to know more.  And whenever any missing person case breaks in the media, I immediately think of Kimberly and her family. It deeply saddens me, that after all this time there is still no closure for the McAndrew family and friends.

While a confirmation of death is not a happy resolution for families of missing persons, surely a lifetime of no answers is not a better alternative.

This Remembrance Day, a bunch of us from highschool are getting together (long overdue) and undoubtedly, there will be talk of  Kimberly McAndrew...because we are all still touched by the disappearance of our classmate. 

God rest, Amber Kirwan....and  Kimberly McAndrew wherever she may be.

Nicolle Bellefontaine
Prince Andrew Class of 1988

fyi: The Coast had a very interesting article that included compelling information about Kimberly McAndrew's disappearance.