'It's possible to do the right thing': Grieving family of Regina teen slain in 2006 pleads for information

It's been ten years since Misha Pavelick's death.

The 19-year-old Regina man was stabbed to death at a party on May 21, 2006, near Regina Beach. 

And now, nearing the ten-year anniversary of the violent attack, his family is speaking out.

It's time for you to step up. We urge you to help identify the person or persons responsible.- Pavelick family

"We understand the depth of grief and sorrow because we are still experiencing it,"  said the Pavelick family in a statement. "We remember and miss Misha daily. He was a loving and caring son, brother, nephew and cousin. He had many cherished friends."

"Misha's death remains unsolved. Many things happen in ten years. People change, thinking and beliefs evolve and old unhealthy allegiances end," the statement goes on. "It's time for you to step up. We urge you to help identify the person or persons responsible. It's possible to do the right thing, if not for Misha, then for yourself and your future."

• Grieving family of teen stabbed to death speaks out
• Father of young man slain in 2006 issues plea for information

Grief and sorrow

"In some respects we're celebrating his life, when he was here," Lorne Pavelick, Misha's father, said Friday. "It's still grief. It's still sorrow."

He noted how many family events, like weddings, his son has missed and how his absence has been felt. Pavelick also recalled how Misha was full of energy as a child and really took to sports.

"He loved organized sports. Hockey, lacrosse and soccer," he said. "And as time rolled on he discovered that he liked music."

Pavelick said a precious memory concerns the night his son died and how, as Misha was heading out, he was reminded to be safe.

"He told me he loved me, not to worry," Pavelick said. "That has really seen me through so much over the years. Remembering those words is so powerful."

Looking for answers

Pavelick said every year, as the anniversary approaches, the grief rises.

"This particular anniversary date of his death is pretty tough because there are so many unanswered questions," he said.

Pavelick said what happened at the party needs to be known.

"You know, some of the wrong people ended up coming to that party and the results were, basically, him dying out there," he said.

Pavelick said he hopes the passage of time will help people to come forward.

"People change," he said. "Over 10 years, people evolve. Especially young people. They mature [and] they remember things."

He hopes anyone with knowledge about what happened will be moved to share their information.

RCMP investigation

At an investigation update in 2009 into Pavelick's case, police said they had gathered statements from nearly 200 people and conducted about 125 formal interviews.

They said some of those people have since been re-interviewed.

"We are encouraging anyone with information, however big or small, about the night Misha was killed to come forward," said Sgt. Rob Zentner with the RCMP Historical Case Unit South.

"We understand this can be difficult to do and encourage those who are anxious to provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers."

Any information regarding this investigation can be directed at the RCMP Major Crimes Unit at 639-625-3156 or by calling Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-888-222-8477.