The Calgary courthouse fell silent Wednesday as Justice Colin Feasby delivered a life sentence with no chance of parole for 18 years to Jonathon Martin Adeyemi for the brutal 2022 murder of Vanessa Ladouceur, bringing a measure of closure to a case that has haunted the city for over two years.
“You have caused a lifetime of suffering and heartbreak,” Justice Feasby told Adeyemi, who stood emotionless in the prisoner’s box as family members of the victim wept quietly. “Ms. Ladouceur’s life was taken with deliberate cruelty in what can only be described as a senseless act of violence.”
The sentencing comes after Adeyemi was found guilty of second-degree murder in April. Court records revealed that on May 4, 2022, Adeyemi stabbed 31-year-old Ladouceur multiple times in her Bankview apartment following what investigators described as a “domestic dispute.” Evidence presented during the trial showed Ladouceur suffered 43 stab wounds, with the medical examiner testifying that several of the wounds alone would have been fatal.
During the victim impact statements, Ladouceur’s mother, Patricia, addressed the court through tears. “My daughter was kind, loving, and had her whole life ahead of her. Now all I have are photos and memories,” she said. “No parent should ever have to bury their child.”
Crown prosecutor Carla MacPhail had sought a minimum 20-year parole ineligibility period, citing the “exceptional brutality” of the crime and Adeyemi’s history of domestic violence against previous partners, which came to light during the trial. “This wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment,” MacPhail argued. “This was a sustained attack that demonstrated intent and deliberation.”
Defense lawyer James Wyman had requested the minimum 10-year parole ineligibility period, pointing to Adeyemi’s previously clean criminal record and what he described as genuine remorse. Wyman also highlighted Adeyemi’s difficult childhood and struggles with mental health, factors the judge acknowledged but ultimately found insufficient to warrant a reduced sentence.
Calgary Police Service Staff Sergeant Martin Schiavetta of the Homicide Unit told reporters outside the courthouse that domestic violence cases remain among the most challenging investigations. “These are crimes that often happen behind closed doors, with warning signs that sometimes go unnoticed,” he said. “Ms. Ladouceur’s death reminds us all of the critical importance of supporting those experiencing domestic violence.”
According to data from the Calgary Police Service, domestic violence calls increased by 17% in the year following the pandemic, a trend that continues to concern advocates and law enforcement alike.
Andrea Silverstone, executive director of Sagesse Domestic Violence Prevention Society, emphasized that resources are available for those in danger. “It’s crucial that people know help is available before violence escalates,” she said. “There are confidential services that can provide safety planning, counseling, and emergency shelter.”
The sentencing provides some resolution for Ladouceur’s family, though her brother Michael told reporters that “no punishment can bring back what we’ve lost.” He described his sister as “vibrant, creative, and always the first to help others in need,” adding that the family has established a memorial fund in her name to support women fleeing domestic violence.
As Calgary continues to grapple with the realities of intimate partner violence, Ladouceur’s case raises important questions about early intervention and prevention. What systemic changes might help identify those at risk before violence turns fatal, and how can communities better support survivors seeking to escape dangerous relationships?
