Woman gets four years in stabbing death of friend

Accused 31-year-old Koree Dockstater walks out of London courthouse after murder trial begins, March 3, 2025 (Reta Ismail/CTV News London)

More than three years have past since the lifeless body of Shaniqua Henry was found along a laneway south of London.

For her grandmother Shirley, who raised her as her own child, the pain never seems to subside, “I cry every day, every day.”

The 27-year-old victim had been hanging out with her friend Koree Dockstater at the time of her death. The pair had been partying together and eventually arguing before Henry’s body was discovered by other friends off of Jubilee Road on Chippewas of the Thames First Nation in July of 2022.

The court heard Henry died from a stab wound to the chest.

The 35-year-old Dockstater was originally charged with second-degree murder, but last summer following a trial she was found guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter.

Outside the London Courthouse, Shirley Henry was visibly upset, “She could have stabbed her in the leg or someplace else. It’s sickening, she knew what the hell she was doing.”

While handing down his sentence, Justice Marc Garson said, “It remains unclear who originally had the knife and how the altercation unfolded ... but I remain troubled by Koree’s rapid departure from the scene and her failure to seek medical assistance.”

He added, “Overall, this act falls closer to an accidental killing than to a murder.”

The judge then sentenced her to four years and three years probation.

However, with a credit of 1,398 days already served, she only has one day left behind bars.

Turning to the Henry family, Justice Garson said, “I know this decision is not what you hoped for I am sorry for that ... Indigenous justice seeks to restore peace and heal both the people harmed and the people responsible for that harm.”

The grandmother responded, “I don’t know how she could be out and my baby can’t be.”

Shirley is aware that nothing can bring Shaniqua back to her, but because of a locket around her neck, she is never far from her heart saying, “I have her, this is her right here, her ashes.”