AUGUSTA – A $20,000 reward was offered by Louise Brochu’s family Thursday for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in her death on June 8 in New Portland.

Brochu’s daughter, Emily, 20, surrounded by four uncles and one aunt, pleaded for information to help speed the process so the family could get closure, she said.

Brochu, a 50-year-old businesswoman and mother of a college junior, was killed at her home and business, New Portland Wood Flooring, off Route 27 in New Portland. Brochu’s body was found by police June 8 after a customer had gone to her wood mill and reported her missing.

Brochu, who was trying to sell the property for $2 million, lived on the grounds of the recently closed mill.

Police are calling her death a homicide, although the cause of death has not been released, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland said earlier this summer.

“She taught me to be a proud, strong woman,” said Emily, following the news conference, holding back tears as she spoke about her mother.

Brochu’s siblings, Luke, Guy, Jim and Adrien Brochu and sister Lucy Comber surrounded the podium where Luke announced the reward and asked anyone with information to come forward prior to the daughter’s request.

Comber, who held a framed photo of her sister during the announcement, said her sister loved life and it was sad to have it taken away from her so early.

The family, originally from Canada, included five boys and three girls, Guy Brochu said. One sister is still living in Canada. A brother was killed in a snowmobile accident.

Lt. Gary Wright of the Maine State Police thanked the family for their effort and said the force was committed to bringing closure to the case. The reward is being offered by the family, he said.

“Any information may help and could possibly be the key,” Wright said, acknowledging the concern people in New Portland are feeling about their safety. Someone is still out there and anytime you’re in that situation, people are concerned, he said.

Three months into the investigation, full-time state police detectives continue to work day and night on the case, Wright said. He declined to give details concerning the investigation but said anyone with information could call state police at 624-7143 or 1-800-452-4664.