Sentencing Hearing for B.C. Mom’s Killer Adjourned Amid Shock

UPDATE: The sentencing hearing for Gary Donald Losch, convicted in the 2017 murder of Abbotsford mother Chelsey Lea Gauthier, has been unexpectedly adjourned, leaving her family and friends in shock. This sudden decision comes just two days into the proceedings, which were anticipated to bring long-awaited closure.

Gauthier, aged 22, was brutally stabbed and later discovered in a shallow grave in Mission, British Columbia. Losch was arrested on September 9, 2022, and charged the following day with second-degree murder and interference with a dead body. The courtroom was stunned on Wednesday when Losch admitted his guilt, citing the emotional weight of victim impact statements presented the day before.

“It could be remorse, but overall, I think he is just trying to get leniency from the judge,” said Jayden Silvester, a friend of Gauthier. His unexpected admission marks a significant turn in the case, as Losch had previously denied any involvement, claiming he was framed.

The tragic circumstances of Gauthier’s death continue to haunt her loved ones. On July 27, 2017, she was hired by Losch to work at his illegal marijuana operation. Her body, found weeks later, was discovered in a remote area, raising alarming questions about the events leading to her death. Silvester expressed frustration over the long wait for justice, stating, “Eight years of him lying about it, he could have done something.”

In a surprising twist, the hearing was adjourned after Losch claimed Indigenous heritage, prompting the judge to request a Gladue Report to consider during sentencing. This report aims to provide context regarding Losch’s background, but it was revealed that he does not possess official Indigenous status. Defence lawyer Andrew Cochrane noted that there had been no previous reports ordered, leading to further delays in the legal process.

Gauthier’s family is left grappling with their grief and the legal complexities surrounding the case. Her brother, Jeremiah Gauthier, voiced their anguish, stating, “We had to wait a couple of months to get to this point to sentencing, and now we’re going to have to wait longer. Making us wait longer for a verdict that we’ve been waiting eight years for.”

As the community watches closely, the next steps in this case remain uncertain. With the adjournment of the hearing, the timeline for sentencing is now unclear, prolonging the pain for Gauthier’s family and friends. The urgent need for justice in this tragic case continues, and many are left wondering when they will finally receive the closure they have been seeking.

Stay tuned for further developments as this case unfolds, and the implications it holds for justice in British Columbia.