The worst health care serial killer in Canadian history has apologized for murdering eight seniors in her care at nursing homes in Woodstock and London.
Elizabeth Wettlaufer, 50, showed no emotion as she addressed a Woodstock courtroom packed with the family of her victims at her sentencing on Monday.
"I have caused horrendous pain, suffering, and death," said Wettlaufer. "I am truly sorry for those I have injured and murdered. Sorry is much too small a word. I hope the families will find some peace and healing. Again, let me say I am extremely sorry."
Wettlaufer's words came moments before Superior Court Justice Bruce Thomas sentenced her to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years on eight counts of first degree murder, ten years for attempted murder, and seven years for aggravated assault. The sentences will be served concurrently.
"She was far from an angel of mercy. She was the shadow of death who passed over [her victims] on the night shifts she supervised," Justice Thomas said in his ruling. "She sought the control she lacked in her own life by ending the lives of those in her care."
Thomas went on to note that the former nurse, turned mass murderer, "left a trail of broken lives in her wake." He urged the families of those Wettlaufer killed, and attempted to kill, not to blame themselves.
However, many of the 19 victim impact statements read in court Monday morning described a great deal of guilt, in addition to anger and profound sadness.
Sharon Young, the niece of 90-year-old Helen Young, told the court about having to place her aunt in Caressant Care after a bad fall left her unable to care for herself.
"It was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do -- placing someone in a long-term care facility. Knowing they didn't want to be there, trying to comfort them," Young said.
She described a peaceful final image of her aunt resting beneath a stained glass window at the funeral home, now replaced by one of her contorted in pain with twisted limbs and bulging eyes.
"Beth, you have added insult to injury by recalling in your confession that I hugged and thanked you after my aunt's murder. So not only did I introduce my aunt to her killer... I also apparently thanked her for her actions," said Young.
Laura Jackson, Arpad Horvath Jr., and Andrea Silcox, whose loved ones were murdered by Elizabeth Wettlaufer, console each other outside of the Woodstock courthouse. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News.)
The son of 75-year-old Arpad Horvath Sr., describes his father as his teacher, his hero, and his best friend.
"The impact on me personally has been nothing short of devastating. It's a nightmare I cannot wake up from and a reality I have to face each and everyday of my life," said Arpad Horvath Jr. "We looked out for each other, and took care of each other... when my father passed away on August 31, 2014, part of me passed away."
Shannon Emmerton, the granddaughter of 87-year-old Gladys Millard, told the court she doubted her family would ever fully recover.
"Hearing that my grandma, who was so sick, struggled against her attacker, that she cried out because she was in pain, that she was frothing at the mouth.. this is not something easy to hear about your loved one," said Emmerton.
Edith Thomas, longtime friend of Helen Matheson, said the 95-year-old woman was like a "substitute mother" to her. She visited her two or three times a week after she was placed in Caressant Care.
"I am overcome with sadness and depression. Her passing was hard enough, but to find out what actually took place will be on my mind and in my heart forever," she said.
Susan Horvath, daughter of Arpad Horvath Sr. who was murdered by Elizabeth Wettlaufer, arrives at the Woodstock courthouse, June 26, 2017. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News.)
The final victim impact statement read was from Beverly Bertram, the 68-year-old woman Wettlaufer attempted to kill in a private residence in Oxford County. She described the excruciating pain she endured after Wettlaufer injected her with insulin she had stolen from another patient.
"I was doubled over in pain, holding my stomach. Just such pain, my whole body hurt," wrote Bertram. She went on to say since the attack she has become "afraid of my own shadow."
"The curtains are always closed, the doors are always locked.... I didn't leave my house for six months. I was worried [Wettlaufer] would get out and come finish the job," Bertram wrote.
Defence lawyer Brad Burgess told the court that while the victims' families may disagree, there was clear indications of Wettlaufer's remorse.
"Ms. Wettlaufer could have kept quiet and taken all of this to her grave. No one would have been the wiser," said Burgess, referencing the ex-nurse's confession at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto last fall, which led to an investigation and ultimately charges.
Burgess also noted Wettlaufer pleading guilty at the start of the month to eight counts of first degree murder, four counts of attempted murder, and two counts of aggravated assault spared the victims a trial.
"The scope and magnitude of their grief is not lost on the defence," said Burgess.
Speaking to reporters outside of the courthouse, Daniel Silcox, the son of 84-year-old James Silcox who was murdered at Caressant Care in August 2007, said he feels as though a cloud has been lifted.
"The family will rally together and get on with life," said Silcox, who described Monday's proceedings as gut wrenching.
For Laura Jackson, the close friend of 84-year-old Maurice Granat, Wettlaufer's apology did not ring true.
"She said she was sorry but sorry is too late. It's already done. There is no taking back what she did," said Jackson, who rushed to her friend's side in the hours after Wettlaufer administered the fatal dose of insulin in December 2007.
Jackson said Wettlaufer destroyed her trust and has left her questioning the long-term health care system in Ontario. For her crimes, Jackson believes they should lock Wettlaufer up and throw away the key.
"I'm angry. I understand why the sentences run concurrent but I don't understand why she should even get the possibility of parole ever," said Jackson. "I think she should spend the rest of her life in a small box, contemplating what she's done."
That sentiment was shared by Horvath Jr.
"Hopefully her conscience becomes her prison, and hopefully she rots in it," Horvath Jr. said to reporters.
Wettlaufer admitted to injecting each of her victims with insulin with the intention of killing them between 2007 and 2014. She stated that she had a “red surging” inside of her that she believed to be God talking with her. As she became more frustrated with her workload and personal life, Wettlaufer would get the “urge to kill.”
The crimes took place at Caressant Care in Woodstock, Meadow Park in London, Telfer Place in Paris, and a private residence in Oxford County, all while Wettlaufer was a registered nurse. The 50-year-old gave up her nursing licence and checked herself into CAMH last September. She was charged with the eight counts of first degree murder in October 2016. The attempted murder and aggravated assault charges were laid in January.
Crown Fraser Kelly speaks to reporters outside of the Woodstock courthouse following Wettlaufer sentencing, June 26, 2017. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News)
"This was no ordinary murder investigation, this was particularly complicated. Fundamentally much police work was done to gather information that allowed police to assess and ultimately establish that the confession that you've all now seen was true, not false," said Crown Fraser Kelly, following the sentencing.
He said while he knows Wettlaufer's crimes would have lifelong effects, he hoped the guilty pleas would "bring some measure of closure and comfort" to the victims.
The names of the those Wettlaufer is convicted of killing are James Silcox, 84, Maurice Granat, 84, Gladys Millard, 87, Helen Matheson, 95, Mary Zurawinski, 96, Helen Young, 90, Maureen Pickering, 79, and Arpad Horvath, 75.
The names of those Wettlaufer is convicted of trying to kill or assaulting are Wayne Hedges, 57, Michael Priddle, 63, Sandra Towler, 77, Beverly Bertram, 68, Clotilde Adriano, 87, and Albina Demedeiros, 90.