Dad dropped me off at the town library on his way to the hardware store this afternoon. My plan was to look up back copies of local newspapers to see if I could find any information about William Tremball’s death. Of course, when Dad asked me why I wanted to go to the library, I let him know.
“I’m trying to save my life,” I said.
“What?” He looked startled.
“I’m trying to save my life.”
Huge sigh. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, my father, who so happens to be an OPP detective, knows more than he’s saying about an old case involving a student who attends the same school as his only daughter. Did I mention this was a murder investigation? And that the alleged murderer is the very same person who recently put a fatal devil’s curse on the same only daughter? And since my father thinks it’s not worthwhile to protect his own daughter from certain danger, possibly death, then I have to take care of myself. I have to investigate this old case, against all odds, all alone. Without my uncaring, unloving father’s help.”
He sighed and didn’t ask me any more questions. In front of the library, he grunted something about being back within an hour, then drove off, tires squealing.
The library was bright and cheery, in a hushed sort of way. It was bigger than I expected for a small town; computers were set up at various stations throughout, and a few glassed-in rooms lined the wall to my right. I had no idea where to start, so I went directly to the librarian behind the long front counter and asked if they kept copies of the local newspapers from as far back as two and a half years ago. They did — on microfilm. Since that was a new concept to me, she led me to one of those glassed-in rooms, sat me down in front of an archaic-looking machine, and showed me how to use it. She then directed me to catalogued stacks and explained which of the local newspapers were archived. I thanked her enthusiastically. Funny how a perfect stranger can be more helpful than my dear old dad.
Left on my own, I selected several films of archived newspapers to search. In spite of being a beginner klutz when it came to using the microfilm, I did eventually find what I was looking for. The first article had this headline: “Tragic death of young teen shocks community.” Sure enough, the “young teen” was none other than William Tremball. I rocked back in my seat, taken aback. He really existed. And he really died. I guess some part of me had been hoping that the student’s death, and therefore Garnet’s murder rap, was more rural myth than fact.
Excited by my find, I tracked down the ultra-helpful librarian and got her to show me how to print off the article. Once again, she didn’t disappoint. Knowing that I had the right time frame, I kept working my way through the old newspapers, looking for anything that might be about William’s death. I found a second article: “Young teen’s drowning not accidental?” I felt like singing; I was such a good detective!
I was collecting my printouts when I sensed a large hulking body behind me.
“Did you find what you were looking for, Sherlock?” asked Dad.
I proudly handed the articles over to him. “Mission accomplished.” He read through them. “Well?” I asked when he passed them back.
“Well what?”
“Don’t you have anything to say?”
“About …?”
“Garnet Hopper!” I was getting frustrated. “I told you she’s an alleged murderer! And now I have it all there, in black and white.”
He arched an eyebrow at me. “All you have here is confirmation that William Tremball died in a tragic drowning accident and that a friend of his had the misfortune of being with him when it occurred.”
“Really?”
“Don’t you think so yourself?” he asked, looking surprised.
“Uh … I haven’t actually read the articles yet.”
“Then you have no idea what you have there.”
“Uh … no.”
He hitched up his belt and headed for the door. “I guess you’ve got some reading to do. You might have wanted to check out the evidence, or should I say lack of evidence, before sharing it with your Superior Officer. By the way, that’s S.O. for short,” he called back over his shoulder.
“S.O. for show-off,” I murmured under my breath.
“I heard that.”
GRRRRR!
When we got home, I ran to the privacy of my room and read each of the articles thoroughly. To my disappointment, Dad was right. The articles didn’t give me the cold, solid evidence I needed to confirm Garnet’s status of alleged murderer. Obviously, there had been an investigation around William’s death, but the friend with him was not identified as Garnet.
I still had so many questions. If Garnet was the friend on the boat with William that day, and I think she was, did she try to save him? Or did something more sinister happen? Why did the autopsy and forensics investigations take so long? Why was the eyewitness (Garnet) repeatedly questioned? What didn’t add up for the investigating officers? Why wasn’t anybody (Garnet) charged?
I want to know!
Tragic death of young teen shocks community
June 13
BRACEBRIDGE — William Tremball, age 14, drowned in Lake Muskoka, June 12. He and a friend were boating on the lake when a fast-moving storm front swept through the area. He died while attempting to swim through the turbulent water back to his boat.
The two inexperienced boaters hadn’t ensured that the anchor was properly secured. As a result, the boat had drifted dangerously far. Eventually, William’s friend, an accomplished swimmer, was successful in reaching the boat. Numerous efforts were made to help William do likewise, but to no avail.
William Tremball, son of Gregory and Nancy Tremball, brother to Nathan, was a kind and talented young man who will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Funeral services will be held this Saturday, June 19, at the United Church and Cemetery on Eagle Road, Bracebridge, Ontario.
Young teen’s drowning not accidental?
June 18
BRACEBRIDGE — Was William Tremball’s recent tragic drowning an accident?
That is the question now being asked, according to reliable sources. Reportedly, William’s family is questioning the length of time it is taking for autopsy and forensic testing results to be finalized, thereby allowing the release of William’s body for burial. In addition, the key eyewitness to William’s death has been repeatedly questioned about the details of events leading up to and resulting in his drowning.
“My William was cut off in the prime of his life,” sobbed his devastated mother. “If his death wasn’t an accident, then the person responsible needs to be punished to the fullest extent of the law — no matter what age they are!”
Is this a question of punishment? Not according to Bracebridge Detachment Chief of Police Thomas Harvey. “Innocent until proven guilty. There’s no question of punishment for someone who is innocent. The last thing we need is for people to jump to conclusions. Routine questioning procedures are being followed and that’s it.”
Accidental or otherwise? The investigation, at this point, is ongoing and has yet to decide.