Family’s Frustration with Justice System After Tragic Domestic Homicide

In a heart-wrenching case that has sent shockwaves through the community, a Calgary woman, Sharilyn Gagnon, tragically lost her life in a brutal act of domestic violence. Her family is now expressing frustration with the judicial system, fearing that the perpetrator may reoffend.

Family's Frustration with Justice System After Tragic Domestic Homicide

Sharilyn Gagnon, a 33-year-old mother of three, was known for her selflessness and her unwavering commitment to her family. According to her sister, Marion Crompton, “She valued other people before herself. She always felt that other people’s worth was more than her own. I don’t think she ever saw how beautiful she was or how smart she was.”

However, in the spring of 2019, Sharilyn crossed paths with Vladimir Ngbangbo Soki, a Calgary man who soon became her boyfriend. The family recalls that Sharilyn was quick to believe Soki’s declarations of love and his promises of marriage, as she struggled with self-esteem issues. Within just months of their relationship, Soki faced charges of assaulting Gagnon.

Crompton and her family made numerous efforts to support Sharilyn as the relationship grew increasingly abusive. They provided her with food, shelter, and even helped her enter rehabilitation programs. Despite their best efforts, Sharilyn’s contact with her family decreased as Soki’s control over her intensified.

Tragedy struck on March 23, 2021, when Gagnon was found brutally killed in a hotel room at the Airport Traveller’s Inn in northeast Calgary. She had suffered over 140 stab wounds and blunt force injuries, with various weapons used in the attack. The extensive defensive wounds on her body served as a heartbreaking testament to her desperate struggle for survival.

Soki initially faced charges of second-degree murder but ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a plea deal. He was sentenced to ten years in prison, with credit for time served, leaving him with less than six years remaining on his sentence. His extensive criminal record, which includes 27 previous convictions, raised concerns among Gagnon’s family members, who worry about the potential for him to reoffend.

Marion Crompton expressed her frustration with the sentencing outcome, saying, “How many other women feel this way, trapped that they got themselves in the situation and they don’t want to burden their families? He serves less than six years. Now he gained a whole other year free because of the delays in the case.”

Crompton also expressed concerns about Soki’s future, given his high risk of reoffending. While the family acknowledges that the judicial system has limitations, they hope their tragic experience will serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of abusive relationships and the critical need for intervention and support for victims.

The case has reignited discussions about domestic violence and the challenges faced by victims and their families. Advocates continue to call for greater awareness and support to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *