Man who admitted to murdering woman, toddler in western Alberta sentenced to life in prison
Those close to a young Alberta woman and her baby who were murdered by their next-door neighbour say they are now scared of strangers and out-of-the-blue phone calls, which remind them of the day of their loved ones' deaths.
Family and friends of 24-year-old Mchale Busch and 16-month-old Noah McConnell on Tuesday sent or read victim impact statements in court in Hinton, Alta., during a sentencing hearing for the pair's killer.
On Sept. 16, 2021, Robert Keith Major, a convicted sex offender, sexually assaulted and strangled Mchale, later mutilating her body. He killed Noah by suffocating him.
Major pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in May. On Tuesday, he was sentenced to life imprisonment without eligibility for parole before 25 years.
"How does anyone get over this? How do I allow my only other daughter to venture into such a dangerous world?" Mchale's tearful father, Stuart Busch, asked during his statement.
He told the courtroom he experiences severe nightmares and cries every day.
Mchale's mother, Karen Busch, videotaped her statement to be played in court, noting she did not wish to "face the evil" that robbed her of her family.
"There are no more snuggles, no more giggles, no more rocking [Noah] to sleep at night, peace at watching him sleep.
"I was so blessed to hold Noah on his first night home from the hospital, overjoyed with his presence and trying to give his parents some much-needed rest. I have his baby book. And it'll never be complete."
"We are told to love our neighbours," added Mchale's sister, Janine Busch.
"I believe I will have trust issues for the rest of my life."
Cody McConnell, Mchale's partner and Noah's father, chose to have the justice read his statement privately.
"I didn't get a chance to go up there because of such raw emotion. I wasn't able to speak but my friends and family spoke for me and I'll be forever grateful for them," he said after Major was sentenced.
"In the courtroom today, lots of emotions, a lot of sad emotions, very upsetting to be in the same room as that man, but very happy with the outcome."
In total, 20 people spoke about the impact of Mchale and Noah's deaths, including Mchale's best friend who was on the phone with her when Major knocked on her apartment that morning.
"I heard you," Mary Urzada told Major. "I heard you introduce yourself to my innocent baby nephew."
When Urzada later learned her friend and Noah were missing, she implored police to investigate Major because of the morning interaction.
"I'm so happy I overheard you," Urzada told Major.
"My name is Mary and I hope you remember that for the rest of your life."
'THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED'
In court, many of the people who provided victim impact statements also vowed to continue pushing for legislative changes about how information about sex offenders is shared with law enforcement and landlords, a private bill they call "Noah's Law."
Edmonton police announced when Major was released in 2017, warning that he was at risk of offending again.
It is not known when Major moved to Hinton, about 300 kilometres west of Edmonton, or if that community was notified. Investigators say Major lived in the same apartment complex as Busch, McConnell and their child, who had moved to Hinton because McConnell had found work there.
At the time of Busch's and Noah's deaths, Major was placed under several court-ordered conditions, including a curfew and a ban from being around children, but RCMP say he had not been subject to any recognizance conditions since July 2020.
Mchale and Noah's loved ones feel their deaths represent a system failure.
"The criminals and murderers are not out in the back alley and dark places. Instead, they are allowed to live among us and even next door to us," family friend Jared Sand said in court on Tuesday.
"How can it be simply moving in next door to someone can be so dangerous?" Mchale's dad asked.
"It is a big wound on my heart and I feel I will never heal. And to think, this could have been prevented," Bruce Christensen, McConnell's stepdad, commented.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Joe Scarpelli
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.