Unexpected twist at sentencing hearing for convicted killer

Chelsey Gauthier was found dead in Mission, B.C., weeks after she was reported missing in Abbotsford. (IHIT)

Wednesday brought another delay in justice and more disappointment for the family of a young Indigenous woman who was killed more than eight years ago.

The family of Chelsey Gauthier, who was 22 when she was stabbed to death, had expected to finally hear the truth from Gary Losch on Wednesday in B.C. Supreme Court in Abbotsford.

“Mr. Losch was anticipated today, at the conclusion of proceedings which didn’t occur, that he was prepared to give a statement to the family accepting responsibility for what he’s done and apologizing to those family members and friends,” defence lawyer Andrew Cochrane explained.

Losch has always denied having anything to do with Gauthier’s death, even though he was convicted of manslaughter earlier this year. However, defence said in court that Losch was visibly moved during victim impact statements, which had caused him to reflect and assume responsibility.

Eleven victim impact statements were read Tuesday, with Losch visibly sobbing through some of them.

Gauthier was a mother of two young girls when she was killed. Her partially clothed body was found in a shallow grave in a remote forested area near Mission after she went with Losch to help him tend to his illegal marijuana grow operation. There was no evidence of sexual assault, but for years, her killing went unsolved.

On Wednesday, an apology didn’t come, as the courts wait for a report on whether Losch has Indigenous heritage that should be considered during sentencing. Court heard that despite Losch asserting Indigenous ancestry, he had no documentation to substantiate it.

Meanwhile, Gauthier’s family and friends question whether any forthcoming apology would be sincere.

“All of a sudden, there is so much remorse for what he’s done, and not once through the trial was one tear shed,” said Jeremiah Gauthier, Chelsey Gauthier’s brother.

“It’s just a ploy. It seems very vague,” he said.

Still, he said family had hoped to hear Losch admit to his crimes.

One of Chelsey Gauthier’s friends, Kasadee York, said she felt talk of an apology was “all for show.”

“If he was sorry, he would have said something prior,” York said. “He’s had multiple years and multiple opportunities to apologize and he’s only doing it now.”

In police interviews obtained through court by CTV News, Losch had repeatedly denied killing Gauthier.

“I didn’t do it and I want to get this cleared up,” he told investigators.

Another time, when asked what he thought happened to Gauthier, he said: “I have no idea. Like, I don’t know. I can’ t say. I don’t know.”

Losch, who has an extensive criminal history, remains out on bail.