SACO – Robert Ouellette never lost faith in people – even after his 15-year-old daughter, Ashley, was killed.

And after Ashley’s death two years ago, he never lost faith that those responsible would be brought to justice.

After his own death from a heart attack Saturday at age 49, many in Ouellette’s tightly knit community are committed to finding Ashley’s killer and helping the family cope with another loss.

“This shouldn’t be left unsettled,” said Thomas Ouellette, Robert Ouellette’s brother. “Bob felt very strongly about having answers. He was seeking justice and we will continue to support that endeavor.”

No charges have been filed in Ashley’s death.

The family will pursue a wrongful-death lawsuit filed in February against Earl Sanborn Jr. and Muriel Sanborn, the Saco couple in whose home Ashley spent her last night in February 1999.

Ashley had been friends with the Sanborns’ two sons, Steven and Daniel.

The Sanborns filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last month, a move that halted the Ouellettes’ civil case days before the Sanborns were to be deposed.

David Benemen, the Ouellettes’ lawyer, said he is seeking a court order to free the civil case from the bankruptcy proceedings.

“We will carry on,” Benemen said.

Ashley Ouellette was found strangled in the middle of Pine Point Road in Scarborough on Feb. 10, 1999.

Maine State Police said they are optimistic about solving the case.

“We have our theories as to what took place and we are working to prove our case,” said Sgt. Matthew Stewart.

The death of Robert Ouellette shocked his family and friends. He had passed a physical two weeks ago and had not shown signs of heart disease, Thomas Ouellette said.

“I’m sure there was a lot of stress, but Bob didn’t show it,” said Arthur Tardiff, a Saco city councilor and an associate real estate agent at Prudential Prime Properties, the Ouellettes’ firm.

Had Ashley lived, she would have graduated Sunday from Thornton Academy, her father’s alma mater. Class officers will place a bouquet of roses on an empty seat in the front row in honor of her memory.

“We hope that someday we’ll have an answer for Ashley’s case,” Thomas Ouellette said. “My family needs some good news.”