The family of murder victim Jennifer Cusworth are relieved that an arrest has been made in a case spanning 16 years.

When Jean and Terry Cusworth spoke to the media at the Kelowna RCMP detachment on Nov. 4, Jean thanked the police for not giving up on the case despite its longevity, and many other people for their support.

"There's a feeling of relief that we've come to this point in the journey."

Jean said her heart goes out to the family of Neil George Snelson, the Kelowna man who was arrested on Oct. 23 and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Jennifer.

Jennifer Cusworth was found dead in a ditch beside a private driveway in the 3900 block of Swamp Road on Oct. 17, 1993. She had moved to Kelowna that August to study at Okanagan University College. During the evening of Oct. 15, 1993, Cusworth went out with friends to Iggy's Night Club. The group attended an after-hours party at a house at 1791 Richter St.

More than 150 people attended the party. Cusworth was last seen alive outside the front door of the home at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 16, 1993.

Terry said the couple were afraid the case might get lost after so much time had passed.

"We were very frustrated when it first happened, because we wanted it to be solved in the first 48, 72 hours."

The Kelowna RCMP Major Crimes Unit interviewed hundreds of people about the case, and collected DNA samples from more than 230 individuals.

On Oct. 15 of this year, investigators revealed that DNA found at the crime scene had been positively identified as belonging to the man responsible for Cusworth's death.

Terry added that police investigators obliged the Cusworths' request by not telling them anything that might jeopardize the court case.

"They've diligently followed our rules on that."

Terry said the long investigation has been an ongoing process in their lives, but the Cusworths will see it through. He added that the couple will continue to lay flowers at the site of Jennifer's death every year.

"We'll be doing that until the day we die."

Jean said her message for Snelson was that Jennifer's murder changed their lives, and his own, forever.

"It's time, Neil, to share the truth, to talk about what happened that night. You owe her that much."

Terry said it surprised the Cusworths to hear that Snelson was still in Kelowna. He said he had read the lyrics of a song Snelson wrote, but had not listened to it. He noted that a friend of the family had said the song was 'eerie'.

Lyrics from Snelson's song Waiting for an Angel are posted on the Capital News website, www.kelownacapnews.com, and have been read around the province since his arrest. The song speaks of a man whose face is worn with years of strain, and a lonely mother waiting for her child to come home.

Jean said the song to her spoke of someone in a lot of pain, someone who wanted to bring something forward. She said she believed that people can change, and that the Cusworth's hope for Snelson is that he can move on and forgive himself.

Jean said the Cusworths had gone through an aboriginal sweat lodge ceremony in order to let go of the pain of Jennifer's death. Terry noted that the process helped the two become more accepting and patient. He said they were more at peace, until they heard the news of Snelson's arrest.

Jean explained that close to four and a half years after Jennifer's death, the Cusworths took her possessions out of storage. She said the pair knew they would have to deal with the pain eventually but had been pushing it away by being absorbed in work. Jean said when the pair removed Jennifer's possessions, they knew they could no longer ignore their loss.

"It hit us like a ton of bricks."

Jean said some victims prefer not to hear about a case until it is solved, but the Cusworths wanted to be involved in the investigation. She encouraged police to reach out to the victims in similar long investigations.

Terry said they did not know if their daughter was acquainted with Snelson at the time of her murder. He noted that if Snelson is found guilty, he would be relieved. Jean said her hope is that Snelson can move on with his life. She added that the Cusworths will be attending the trial.

Jean said that the 16-year journey for the couple has been life-changing.

"I questioned everything, I questioned God."

She noted positive aspects which have come out of their ordeal, including bursaries created in Jennifer's name at three high schools and a college, along with all the people that the couple have met and spoken to along the way.

Terry recalled the kindness of strangers who encountered him during the first couple of years after Jennifer's death, as he put up posters of her face. He said people asked if they could help. Complete and utter strangers asked him who the girl on the posters was, and asked: "Tell us the story. I want to hear your story."

Terry said he hoped Snelson was watching the press conference, and that he hoped the words said there helped Snelson along his way.

"All I can say is, 'I hope.'"

msimmons@kelownacapnews.com