Photo credit: globalnews.ca
A man from British Columbia, Shane Ertmoed, who has been incarcerated for the abduction and murder of a 10-year-old girl, Heather Thomas, has been denied day parole. This decision arose from a hearing held on Wednesday, marking another chapter in a case that has echoed through the community for nearly a quarter of a century.
Ertmoed is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, stemming from the tragic events of October 2000. Heather Thomas disappeared while playing outside in Cloverdale, leading to a widespread search involving law enforcement and local volunteers. Sadly, her remains were discovered weeks later at Alouette Lake in Maple Ridge.
The investigation quickly led to Ertmoed’s arrest in November of that year. During questioning, he confessed to attempting to sexually assault Thomas. When she resisted, he admitted to strangling her to prevent her from reporting the incident.
At the hearing, Jody Aspin, Heather’s mother, was present to deliver a victim impact statement. This moment represented a significant emotional milestone for her, as it was the first instance in which she confronted her daughter’s killer face-to-face. Aspin expressed a sense of accomplishment, stating, “For once I rattled his chains. I feel that it was helpful for me to do so. And it got my point across for once towards him. I think he finally for once heard me after 24 years.”
Aspin emphasized that her actions were driven by her love for her daughter and a desire to prevent future tragedies. “I accomplished what I wanted to do … I did this for my daughter. This is all for my daughter. And if there is any other child I can help to have this not happen to them,” she remarked.
In a related development, Ertmoed was granted escorted leave from prison back in 2021 and was now seeking unescorted day passes. However, Rebecca Darnell, the family’s lawyer, reported that the parole board was not persuaded to grant his request. Darnell pointed out that the board noted Ertmoed’s deceptive and manipulative behavior, highlighting his admission during the hearing that he chose to murder Heather to avoid facing any consequences for his actions.
Moreover, Aspin called attention to Ertmoed’s attempts to portray himself positively during the hearing, even extending an apology to the parole board and Heather’s family, which she dismissed as insincere manipulation. “Just another lie, just another joke he plays to manipulate and victimize us,” she stated.
As the legal proceedings surrounding Ertmoed continue, he will be eligible to apply for full parole in 2027, keeping the memory of Heather Thomas and the impacts of his actions at the forefront of public consciousness.
Source
globalnews.ca