B.C. mother who murdered 8-year-old daughter dies in prison
Warning: This story contains disturbing details
A British Columbia mother who was convicted of killing her eight-year-old daughter by smothering her with a plastic bag has died in prison.
The Correctional Service of Canada says Lisa Batstone died in custody at the Fraser Valley Institution in Abbotsford, B.C., on Monday.
Batstone had been serving an indeterminate life sentence for the second-degree murder of Teagan Batstone since September 2019.
The B.C. Court of Appeal struck down Batstone's appeal for a reduced sentence in May 2022 after rejecting her earlier attempt to overturn her conviction in October 2021.
The correctional service says it is reviewing the circumstances of Batstone's death, adding that her next of kin has been notified.
Chris Szafron, assistant warden for management services at the Fraser Valley Institution, said the prison was unable to provide details about how Batstone died.
"We do a review of the circumstances, and because it was very recent we're not able to provide any initial information about cause of death or anything else," he said Wednesday.
Teagan's body was found in the back of a car in South Surrey on Dec. 10, 2014.
A B.C. Supreme Court judge found Batstone intended to smother her daughter before killing herself, but she ultimately could not follow through with the suicide.
The judge said Batstone did not want Teagan to be with her father after her suicide and therefore killing her daughter was a selfish act intended to hurt her ex-husband.
'NO CAUSE FOR MOURNING,' FATHER SAYS
Justice Catherine Murray said although Batstone was likely suffering from depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder at the time, her mental issues did not significantly mitigate her moral culpability.
The judge also said Batstone left notes in her home blaming her ex-husband for the murder and she told several lies to psychiatrists because she hoped to be found not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder.
Ex-husband Gabe Batstone told CTV News on Wednesday that the death of his daughter's killer means the family no longer has to endure the prospect of her potential release from incarceration.
"The death of Lisa Batstone, the convicted murderer of our beloved daughter Teagan, brings no cause for mourning from us," he said. "Her death does not erase the pain and loss of Teagan, whose absence is felt every day. Nothing can bring our precious daughter back, and this unalterable truth weighs heavily on our hearts."
The father said the news of Lisa's death felt like "a significant burden has been lifted," and added that "the safety of our family and community from a convicted child murderer is now assured, bringing a substantial relief amidst our enduring grief."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Lisa Steacy and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Mookie Betts leads Dodgers past Blue Jays 4-2; Toronto drops fifth consecutive game
Mookie Betts went 3 for 5, including a triple and an RBI single, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Saturday.