Manslaughter conviction in case of young mother killed in Mission, B.C., 8 years ago

Emotional reaction erupted in a packed B.C. courtroom as a judge handed down a conviction in the slaying of Chelsey Gauthier.

Days before the eight-year anniversary of Chelsey Gauthier’s death, the man accused of killing her has been convicted, but he’s still out in the community.

Gary Losch was charged with second-degree murder, but on Tuesday, a judge in Abbotsford found him guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter.

“Mr. Losch’s attempts to conceal Ms. Gauthier’s body, his denial of being with her…and his lies to police do not necessarily equate to proof of intent,” explained said Justice Dev Dley, who also convicted Losch of interfering with a dead body.

“This is still a victory. It’s been established (Losch) did it. He’s going to get time. We just hope the system will give him as much time as possible,” said Chelsey’s dad, Ray.

Losch was 62 on July 27, 2017, when he met the 22-year-old Gauthier at a local McDonald’s, where the pair got a ride to a remote forested area near Mission. She had agreed to help him tend to an outdoor marijuana grow operation.

Gauthier never came back.

“She was a good person, a good soul and… she was my best friend,” said her brother, Jeremiah.

During the trial that began in February, the court heard the young mother likely died from a single stab wound to her back. Her body was found the second time police searched the area of the marijuana grow op.

Gauthier’s body had been wrapped in a sheet and left in a shallow grave. Losch’s DNA was found on a corner of that sheet.

“When she died, a part of me died because she had such an incredible sense of humour. She was goofy. She was fun,” Ray recalled.

Despite Losch being convicted of manslaughter, he remains out on bail.

“It boggles my mind. I don’t get it. It’s something that needs to change in our justice

system. It really does,” said Ray.

“Honestly, I think he’s a flight risk and it’s very concerning,” added Jeremiah.

A sentencing hearing for Losch is set for Aug. 18.

Closing arguments concluded last month in the judge-only trial.

Losch did not testify during the proceedings. His defence argued that the Crown had not proven that he and Gauthier were alone the entire time they were at the grow op, and that it was unknown how his DNA ended up on the sheet.

• Read more: Man accused of murdering young Abbotsford, B.C., mom won’t testify at trial

For Gauthier’s family, the wait for justice has been long and painful. Charges were not laid in the case until September 2022, more than five years after her death.

• Read more: Man charged with 2nd-degree murder in 2017 killing of Abbotsford woman

After Tuesday’s verdict, Chelsey’s father said that he is grateful for the work of police and Crown as witnesses.