Family Remembers Beverley Rowbotham 25 Years After Murder

UPDATE: On the 25th anniversary of Beverley Rowbotham’s tragic murder, her last surviving sibling, Barb Kilpatrick, will light a candle tonight in a poignant ritual that intertwines cherished memories with deep sorrow. This annual event, held every October 24, highlights the family’s enduring quest for justice after a crime that rocked Manitoba.

The heart-wrenching ceremony serves as a reminder of the pain felt since Rowbotham was brutally killed in her family’s backyard in the RM of St. Andrews on October 25, 2000. With no one charged since her husband, Mark Stobbe, was acquitted in 2012, Kilpatrick, now 76, clings to hope for new information that could lead to closure.

“Hope is everything,” Kilpatrick stated. “Beverly has missed so much in 25 years—her boys growing up, family gatherings—it’s incredibly sad.”

Rowbotham, aged 42 at the time of her death, was found in the back seat of her vehicle in Selkirk, approximately 15 kilometers from her home, just hours after Stobbe reported her missing. The case remains one of Manitoba’s most notorious unsolved homicides.

As the investigation remains inactive, Kilpatrick and her daughter, Melanie Larocque, are urging the public to come forward with any potential leads. They are particularly interested in identifying a couple who contacted Kilpatrick in March 2018 with a mysterious note, claiming their family had connections to Rowbotham before her murder.

“Come forward. Share what you have,” Kilpatrick pleaded, hoping for any information that might shed light on her sister’s death.

Rowbotham’s murder shook the community, particularly given the high-profile nature of her husband’s position as a communications adviser for the Manitoba government. Legal experts note that the case was captivated by the media at the time, amplifying public interest and speculation.

Stobbe was charged nearly eight years after Rowbotham’s death, but the evidence was primarily circumstantial. Despite a trial that lasted several weeks and included testimony from over 80 witnesses, jurors acquitted him of second-degree murder, a verdict that left Rowbotham’s family devastated.

In a twist of fate, this year’s remembrance carries additional sadness for Kilpatrick, as she mourns the recent passing of her sister, Betty Rowbotham, on October 18. A funeral will take place exactly 25 years after the family learned of Beverley’s death.

As the quest for justice persists, Kilpatrick and Larocque are advocating for awareness of Beverley’s case through a new podcast episode titled “Remembering Beverley Rowbotham,” set to release this Saturday. They believe that sharing their story is essential for keeping her memory alive and advocating for justice.

“Beverley was a strong advocate for women and children. If this happened to any of us, she would be fighting for justice,” Larocque affirmed, emphasizing the importance of community support in their ongoing search for answers.

As the candle burns tonight, it symbolizes more than just remembrance; it embodies a family’s unwavering hope and determination to seek justice for a loved one lost too soon. Kilpatrick and Larocque remain committed to sharing their story, urging anyone with information to come forward, as they continue to honor Beverley Rowbotham’s legacy.