Newfoundlanders wear pink, purple for little girl allegedly killed by her father

CARBONEAR, N.L. – Schools, stores and even the house of assembly in Newfoundland and Labrador were awash in purple and pink Thursday in honour of five-year-old Quinn Butt.

The tragic death of the little girl, whose body was found in her father’s burned-out home in Carbonear on Sunday, moved people across the province to wear the colours on their T-shirts, jackets, even their bow ties.

In the legislature, Speaker Tom Osborne took a moment to acknowledge the tragedy as proceedings began.

Many house members wore pink or purple to remember “little Quinn” he said, in keeping with a request from her loved ones on social media.

Pictures of people wearing pink or purple also circulated on Twitter under the hashtag #lightitupQuinn.

A photo shared on social media showed staff and students at St. Lewis Academy wearing pink or purple and standing in the formation of a heart. One little girl in pigtails carried a sign with the message: “4 Quinn.”

Also Thursday, Harbour Grace RCMP asked for witnesses to the Sunday morning fire to come forward. Her father, Trent Butt, is charged with first-degree murder.

“Specifically, the RCMP would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the fire before firefighters or police arrived,” said Staff Sgt. Howard Gale.

A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Thursday evening at a soccer field in Harbour Grace.