Memorial service in the works for Mariam Makhniashvili: mother
Posted March 12, 2012 4:15 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A memorial service is being planned for Mariam Makhniashvili, possibly for the weekend, the girl’s mother told CityNews.
Lela Tabidze, who says the service could be on Saturday, says she’s grieving again.
“I am going through a second cycle of grieving right now,” she said.
Mariam’s skeletal remains were found Feb. 28 under a Highway 401 overpass by two men in the city’s north end.
Forensic tests concluded Friday that the remains were hers and that she died from a fall from a significant height. But her death was not considered suspicious or a homicide. Police said suicide was a possibility.
The 17-year-old disappeared Sept. 14, 2009, on her way to Forest Hill Collegiate Institute.
Makhniashvili attended the school for just four days before she disappeared. She was last seen walking with her brother, George. Video of the two was captured by surveillance cameras near Union Station.
Her disappearance sparked a massive investigation, and about 5,000 people were questioned.
The family remained in the media spotlight after Mariam’s father, Vakhtang Makhniashvili, was charged with three counts of aggravated assault. He pleaded guilty to the charges.
The charges followed two separate stabbing incidents.
He was sentenced to six years in prison in December 2011.
On Monday, his lawyer Calvin Barry told CityNews that he has spoken to Tabidze and that he will meet with her husband to discuss the service plans.
Service details will be disclosed Tuesday afternoon, he said, adding that he will also request that Makhniashvili’s father be allowed to leave prison with an escort to attend the service.
