SASKATOON - The family of 2000 homicide victim 21-year-old Crystal Paskemin are in shock after her accused killer was granted early parole.
Paskemin’s family also fear he is still a danger to other women. According to Parole Board of Canada documents obtained by SASKTODAY.ca, there continues to be concerns regarding 49-year-old Kenneth David Mackay’s power and control issues. The board said he has possible issues with women and their expected role in relationships. A psychologist concluded that he was a high risk for violent re-offending.
“We bear the burden of perpetual fear that another daughter or granddaughter will meet the same fate as our dear Crystal,” said Paskemin’s younger sister Tanya.
“We pray no family must go through the hell on earth that we have had to navigate, through the darkest of evil, at the hands of this murderer.”
Mackay was granted parole Jan. 13 and released to a community residential facility on Vancouver Island. Mackay’s Institutional Parole Officer wrote in her report that she had concerns about his inability to accept “no” for an answer, and inability to accept denials or refusals. He attacked Paskemin after she told him "no." At the time of Paskemin’s rape and murder, Mackay was “harbouring anger towards the women” in his life and his failed relationships, said the report.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice Chief Heather Bear said Paskemin’s family opposed Mackay’s release but weren’t heard by the parole board.
“Once again, the justice system of Canada has failed another Indigenous family who lost a loved one who suffered a horrific death,” said Bear.
“There needs to be more measures to ensure our voices are heard by the parole system and longer sentences for those who perpetrate violence against Indigenous women and girls.”
In June 2002, a Saskatoon jury found Mackay guilty of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 25 years.
Mackay’s parole documents reveal that in December 2000 he violently sexually assaulted Paskemin in his truck. She managed to escape but he continued to attack her outside of his truck, including hitting her on the jaw with his fist with such force that her jaw was broken. He then drove his truck over Paskemin’s head, crushing it.
“You set the victim's body on fire and dragged her body behind your truck for a considerable distance before digging a crude grave and dumping the victim's body into it,” state the parole documents. “You then fled and tried to destroy evidence. The victim was found naked with the exception of one sock.”
He lit her body on fire and dragged her body in his truck by a chain down an icy grid road. He then dug a shallow grave, tossed Paskemin in it, and covered her with snow, said FSIN.
Mackay was arrested less than a week later.
Paskemin was on a girl’s night out at the Longbranch, and after watching her from a distance, MacKay approached her and offered her a ride home, said Tanya.
“As a family, we bear the burden of having to remember her beauty for longer than we got to enjoy her beauty,” said Tanya. “We bear the burden of re-traumatization every time the Parole Board of Canada sends letters about his activity for the past 23 years. The whaling cry of our mother, whose child has been tortured and killed is indescribable but unforgettable - these memories are permanent. A dedicated father, brought to his knees because he feels like he failed in protecting his family when he truly was the rock that held his family together - a modern cross no man should have to bear.”
Tanya said her big sister's essence was one of kindness, compassion, and love. She was from Sweetgrass First Nation and attended Eston Bible College.
“She touched many lives with her contagious smile, accepting warmth, and magnetic character. She had a particular interest in helping girlfriends in vulnerable situations, and her legacy lives on through Crystal’s Gift, a non-profit that re-homes gently used furniture to single mothers fleeing violence.
“Though Crystal’s life was stolen, her essence lives on through the efforts of those who carry on her mission to advocate for women’s safety and those who had the privilege of meeting her,” said Tanya.
Paskemin had four younger sisters who have each had to bear the burden of chronic pain, night terrors, depression, anxiety disorders, auto-immune disease, and post-traumatic stress disorders.
“We each received our own life sentence when our Crystal was stolen.”
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