The father of murdered 12-year-old Karissa Boudreau spoke publicly for the first time about his daughter's death and what he has been going through, as the first-degree murder case against his former wife returned to court briefly on Wednesday.

Penny Boudreau, 34, is charged in connection with the death of Karissa, who was reported missing on Jan. 27, 2008.

The girl's remains were found on the outskirts of Bridgewater on the bank of the LaHave river on Feb. 9.

Defence lawyer Pat Atherton told Nova Scotia provincial court in Bridgewater that disclosure hadn't been completed in the first-degree murder case. Crown prosecutor Denise Smith said outside the court there is much material to sort through. She said statements still have to be transcribed and electronic disclosure is being compiled.

The case will be back in court on Oct. 22.

Meanwhile, Paul Boudreau said the family is eager to get the trial underway.

"For the family it needs to be ended," he told reporters.

Later, in an interview with CTV Atlantic on Wednesday, he spoke about how he's been trying to cope with her death.

"I guess it's just now starting to hit me, I think I'm just realizing the loss here and there," he said as he held a Father's Day present Karissa once gave to him. "I went over to her grave there a couple of Friday nights ago, and I was fine until I hit the causeway to Barrington. And it just hit me. The closer I got, the worse I felt."

Paul Boudreau recounted Karissa's last summer, which he spent with her in Shelburne, N.S. When the summer was over, he said her daughter asked him whether she could live with her mother in Bridgewater.

"I thought I was doing the right thing by letting her go back home, that's what she wanted," he said.

About half a dozen family members were at Wednesday's hearing. Penny Boudreau was not in court.

Paul Boudreau said the family is trusting the courts to bring justice to his daughter's murder, but added he worries about the toll the truth might take.

"When it comes out it's probably going to crush everybody all over," he said.

With a report from CTV Atlantic's Leah Whitehead