Video may hold clues after Winnipeg girl beaten, left for dead in river

CTVNews.ca Staff Published Tuesday, November 11, 2014 2:14PM EST Last Updated Tuesday, November 11, 2014 9:59PM EST

A 16-year-old girl who was horrifically beaten and left for dead in the Assiniboine River is now recovering in hospital, as homicide detective search for suspects.

Winnipeg police have obtained surveillance video of 16-year-old Rinelle Harper on the night of the attack, and are using it to retrace her steps, CTV News has learned.

The video shows Rinelle walking along Assiniboine Avenue with what appears to be two males.

Police say Rinelle became separated from her friends last Friday night, and was attacked near a downtown bridge, ending up in the freezing river.

She was discovered, badly beaten, along the riverwalk by a passerby the next morning, and taken to hospital in critical condition, according to police. The girl is currently in stable condition.

Rinelles aunt, Holly Harper, told CTV Winnipeg that the entire family is trying to understand how the attack could have happened.

"I can't even imagine what would provoke such an attack, such a brutal attack on my niece. Who in their right mind would do something so horrible?" she said.

Officers made the rare move of naming Rinelle on Monday, with the permission of her family. They're hoping that by disclosing her name they will encourage witnesses to come forward.

"Rinelle is a person in this community," Supt. Danny Smyth told reporters at a news conference Monday.

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Video may hold clues after Winnipeg girl beaten, left for dead in river