Duane Squires recalls a day in the past year when his oldest child misplaced a Jibbitz shoe charm from his Crocs. Squires and his spouse returned with their son to the spot where he believed the charm had fallen off. In a statement submitted to the Court of King’s Bench, Squires, a detective constable with the Saint John Police Force, recounted the emotional search for the small plastic piece, a cherished memento of his son’s deceased friend. The friend, a 10-year-old and basketball teammate, had tragically lost his life, along with his 17-year-old brother, due to a fatal stabbing by their father, Roman Kamyshnyy.

Kamyshnyy, found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder by a jury in June, was sentenced by Justice Darrell Stephenson to two concurrent life terms with no chance of parole for 25 years. Testifying in court, Kamyshnyy claimed to have no recollection of the events on the day of the murders. The investigation revealed that Kamyshnyy orchestrated the killings as an act of vengeance towards his ex-wife following their recent divorce.

The impact of the murders extended beyond the victims’ families, affecting the broader community, including Saint John High School. The loss of the teenage victim, C.D., deeply impacted students and staff, causing widespread shock and grief. The school community struggled to cope with the tragedy, with some individuals requiring ongoing emotional support to manage anxiety and grief.

Det. Const. David MacDonald, the lead investigator, expressed the profound emotional toll the case had on him, leading to the need for counseling. He described the murders as heinous acts that deeply affected him and his fellow officers involved in the case. The impact of the murders also resonated with first responders and justice officials, underscoring the devastating effect on the community’s sense of security.

Lawyer Mel Norton, representing the victims’ mother, emphasized the significant impact of the murders on the city of Saint John. The loss of the children struck at the core of the community, challenging its sense of safety and unity. Norton stressed the importance of honoring the victims’ memory by strengthening commitments to protect children, support families, and promote community solidarity in the face of tragedy.