Emotions ran high Wednesday at what was supposed to be a court appearance for two people charged in connection to the death of a mentally disabled woman.
Betty Anne Gagnon's body was found in a truck at a gas station last November. She was in the front seat with a black eye and covered with a blanket.
Police have not released a cause of death, but say the nature of her injuries prompted an investigation looking into foul play.
Gagnon's sister Denise Margaret Scriven, 44, and her 30-year-old husband Michael Lee Scriven have been charged with manslaughter, unlawful confinement, two counts of assault, failure to provide necessaries of life, and conspiracy to commit extortion. The two did appear in court but were represented by legal counsel.
The victim's friend, Sue Thomas, drove from Calgary to the court to show her support.
"I just wanted Betty Anne to know that she was an important person and she mattered," said Thomas.
Gagnon lived with Thomas for 14 years in Calgary. She was legally blind and had the mental capacity of a five-year-old. She moved in with her sister in Strathcona County years later.
Court documents paint a grim picture of how the woman was allegedly being treated.
In interviews with police, it's alleged Michael Scriven built what he described as a jail cell for Gagnon in the garage -- a pen made out of chicken wire and blankets.
According to the documents, she also lived in a tent that eventually had to be thrown out because it was covered in feces.
Michael and Denise confirmed to police they are crack cocaine users and say on the day Gagnon died, Denise went to get crack cocaine.
"I just felt sick, very sad," said Thomas.
Cindy de Bruijn runs an organization that helps families of people who are mentally challenged. She says this tragedy could have easily been prevented.
"If Betty Anne had a job to go to a volunteer placement, if she knew her neighbours somebody would have noticed what was happening," said de Bruijn.
Michael and Denise are scheduled for another court date on August 18th, but it's not clear if the accused will be present.
With files from Serena Mah
