Day Parole Granted for Woman Behind Stefanie Rengel’s Murder

UPDATE: In a shocking development, Melissa Todorovic, the architect of the 2008 murder of Stefanie Rengel, has been granted day parole. The Parole Board of Canada approved the decision in September 2025, allowing the now 33-year-old to reside at a community-based residential facility for an initial six months.

The chilling details of this case reveal that when Todorovic was just 14, she pressured her then 17-year-old boyfriend, David Bagshaw, to murder Rengel, who had previously dated Bagshaw. Rengel was brutally stabbed six times on January 1, 2008, and succumbed to her injuries shortly after being discovered in a snowbank near her home. The murder shocked the Toronto community and raised significant concerns about youth violence.

The Parole Board imposed strict conditions for Todorovic’s day parole, including mandatory reporting of any relationships to her parole supervisor, a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and a complete ban on contact with victims and their families. Furthermore, she must adhere to a treatment plan and allow monitoring of her telecommunication devices.

This is not the first time Todorovic has been granted day parole. She previously received approval in December 2018, but it was revoked in August 2019 after she failed to disclose romantic relationships with individuals on probation. The parole board expressed serious concerns about her behavior, stating, “Your return to your offence cycle within a relatively short time casts doubt on your reliability to comply with parole requirements.”

Despite this troubled history, the board noted significant progress made by Todorovic while incarcerated at the Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener, Ontario. She successfully completed all recommended correctional programs, pursued further education, and is making plans for reintegration into society.

The board concluded, “It is the opinion that you will not, by reoffending, present an undue risk to society if released on day parole, and that your release will contribute to the protection of society by facilitating your reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen.”

As the community grapples with the implications of this decision, many are left questioning the safety measures in place for victims and their families. What happens next for Todorovic and how this will affect Rengel’s loved ones remains to be seen. The case continues to draw attention as it raises critical discussions about justice, rehabilitation, and public safety.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.