Jeremy Skibicki Sentenced to Life for Murders of Indigenous Women

Jeremy Skibicki, a convicted serial killer, has been sentenced to four life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years. This verdict was delivered on Wednesday in a Manitoba Court of King’s Bench.

Skibicki, 37, showed no emotion as the sentence was read. When Chief Justice Glen Joyal asked if he had any statement to make, Skibicki responded with a simple, ‘No.’

In July, Skibicki was found guilty of the murders of four Indigenous women: Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois, and an unidentified victim referred to as Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman. The automatic life sentence, which Skibicki received for each murder, will be served concurrently, meaning he will only be eligible for parole after 25 years, at the age of 60.

The Chief Justice pointed out that the current legal framework limits the sentence’s reflection of the heinous nature of Skibicki’s crimes. He stated, ‘Make no mistake Mr. Skibicki, the only available sentence that I can impose today will regrettably not adequately reflect the gravity of these offences.’

Evidence presented during the trial detailed how Skibicki targeted vulnerable Indigenous women, luring them from homeless shelters to his apartment where he abused and ultimately murdered them. The Chief Justice condemned Skibicki’s actions as racially motivated and driven by homicidal necrophilia.

Relatives of the victims provided emotional statements regarding the impact of Skibicki’s actions. Cambria Harris, daughter of Morgan Harris, expressed the profound emotional and physical pain caused by her mother’s murder. She stated, ‘A lifetime of suffering and grief I and my family have to live with because he stole her life.’

The court heard a total of 14 victim impact statements from families and representatives of First Nations, emphasizing the devastating effects on their communities. Grand Chief Cathy Merrick emphasized the long-lasting impact of these crimes on First Nations people.

Crown Prosecutor Chris Vanderhooft remarked on the inadequacy of the sentence, stating, ‘Nothing we can do in this courtroom can ever punish him enough for his crimes.’

As Skibicki was led away, the courtroom erupted in cheers from the gallery, signaling the end of a harrowing chapter for the families of the victims.