Penticton

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Rita Chretien (L) answers questions during a press conference Tuesday regarding the discovery of her husband's remains.

During a media briefing Tuesday morning, in Penticton, Rita Chretien expressed relief that her long-missing husband's body had been found.

It was, she said, finally the closure the Penticton family needed, since Albert Chretien went missing in a remote part of Nevada in March of 2011.

"It was a great joy knowing  that he had obviously rested in peace and his body was not torn apart by wild animals,"  she said. "This was nice to have tangible evidence of how he passed away."

Chretien, who survived for seven weeks in  the wilderness, after the couple got stuck on a remote forest road on their way to Las Vegas, was joined by her brother-in-law Henry Chretien, his wife Betty Chretien and the pastor of their church Neil Allenbrand at the briefing at the Penticton RCMP Detachment.

Henry Chretien, Albert's older brother and the main spokesman,  praised everyone who took the search for Albert seriously after he struck out on his own to find help for the couple.

Among those he thanked were those who took part in the search, to those who prayed for him to be found and the media who got the word out.

He was quick to pay respect to his brother, who was found this weekend in a remote part of Nevada by hunters..

"His fully clothed skeleton was resting under a tree and he placed his backpack where it could be found," he said.

Pastor Allenbrand said that that Albert was now at home with the lord and his remains would be returned to Penticton.

Since a memorial service was already held for the longtime Penticton resident in April, there will not be another service. Instead there will be a gravesite gathering for family and friends.

"I have had closure for a long time," said Chretien, who again praised her husband's attempt to find them help. "I thought you did good Al. Thank you for your effort."

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