Family identifies remains found in burned car in Prince Albert

Body belongs to 13-year old boy, family says
Reported by News Talk Radio staff
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A Prince Albert family is searching for answers after they lost their son in a horrific incident early Saturday morning.

A car was found engulfed in flames in the West Flat at about 1 a.m. When the fire was put out, human remains were discovered.

The boy's mother, Fanny Ballantyne, confirms the remains are those of her 13-year-old son, Wayne Ballantyne.

She said the last few days have been very emotional for her as she waits for answers, she only knows what she has heard from people in the community.

"All I heard was that our son was beaten up older guys, like 17 to 20 year olds," she said.

“I was pretty upset … I was angry, I had to go through all of the emotions.”

The Prince Albert police continue their investigation and have not released any further information.

According to Jonas Ballantyne, Wayne's father, police have contacted the family a couple of times as part of the investigation, including asking for a DNA sample.

Jonas said he thinks alcohol was probably involved in the violence.

“They were ganging up on my baby, but they were men,” he said.

“He’s gotten in trouble before, but he’d never stay out at night, he’d always come home.”

Jonas said that the last time he spoke with Wayne was Friday night. He reminded his son, who was at a friend’s house in the East Flat, playing video games, to go home when he was finished.

The family is struggling with the loss, but Jonas said he is relying on his faith to help him through.

Reported by paNOW's Nigel Maxwell.

Edited by News Talk Radio's Sabeen Ahmad and Karin Yeske.

This story was first reported at 11:16 a.m. on May 26, 2011.