Saskatoon woman receives 18-year sentence after killing former boyfriend
Ryah Sorenson, 23, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of 37-year-old Adam Willett before Justice Richard Danyliuk. (Source: Ever Loved)
A Saskatoon woman who admitted to killing her former boyfriend has been handed an 18-year sentence.
Ryah Sorenson, 23, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of 37-year-old Adam Willett before Justice Richard Danyliuk.
During Sorenson's sentencing hearing on Friday, Crown prosecutor Michael Pilon read a statement of facts into the record. Court heard that Sorenson and Willett dated for about 10 months and had a tumultuous relationship at times.
On the evening of December 2, 2022, the two were drinking alcohol together at Willett's apartment when Sorenson attacked him in his bedroom, stabbing him 21 times.
He left a trail of blood through the apartment and eventually died on the couch. Sorenson kissed Willett on the forehead and lips, then covered him with a blanket, the court heard.
She took some pills that were on the coffee table and attempted suicide. The pills were later determined to be vitamins. She began vomiting and called 911, saying she had done something bad. Police arrived shortly after. She told police she didn't plan to kill Willett but wouldn't explain why she did it.
Willett's nine-year-old daughter submitted one of the 13 victim impact statements. A family member read the child's statement on her behalf. Willett's daughter spoke about how she would never be able to give him a Father's Day card and how he wouldn't be there for major life events, like her graduation or wedding.
Willett's mother, Linda Krieg, spoke about the 'horrific' phone calls she made to Willett's loved ones, informing them of his death.
His father, Bryan Willett, spoke about how he bonded with his son over their shared love of music. Bryan said February 3, 1959 – when three American rock and roll musicians died in a plane crash – is often referred to as 'The Day the Music Died.'
'I was not born yet, but for me, the day the music died was December 2, 2022,' Bryan said.
Willett's stepmother, Maureen Willett, spoke about the trauma of cleaning the crime scene, saying his apartment was worse than anything she had seen in a movie.
Willett's ex-wife, Megan MacDonald, said he will be remembered as an amazing and kind person who was a source of joy and love.
After the statements were read, Sorenson stood up and apologized.
'I'm really sorry for what I did,' she said.
Court heard that Sorenson grew up in a home with domestic violence and alcohol abuse and spent some time in the foster care system. She was diagnosed with mental health conditions and a personality disorder and was described as having a naïve and childlike manner. She struggled with alcohol and crack cocaine addictions and became more violent under the influence, the court heard.
Justice Danyliuk accepted the joint submission from the Crown and defense counsel, sentencing Sorenson to 18 years in a federal institution. With credit for time served in remand, Sorenson has 15 years left in her sentence.
Danyliuk made a recommendation to the Correctional Service of Canada that Sorenson serve her time at the Regional Psychiatric Centre.
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