Image Credit: Global News

By James Peters

Parole Decision

Parole Board extends privileges for man convicted of killing teen, dumping body near Savona

Jul 21, 2020 | 2:39 PM

SAVONA, B.C. — A man convicted of killing a Quebec teenager 20 years ago and dumping his body near Savona has had his freedoms extended by the Parole Board of Canada.

In a report issued June 25, the Parole Board says Brian Townsend can continue to spend five nights per week away from a halfway house on Vancouver Island.

Townsend was convicted of second degree murder in 2008 after the beating death of 15-year-old Vivien Morzuch nine years earlier. Morzuch’s body was found near the entrance to Steelhead Provincial Park outside of Savona.

Townsend was sentenced to life in prison in 2009 and was granted day parole in December, 2017.

The report says Townsend, now 70, would like to live with his wife, in the same Vancouver Island city as his halfway house. The two married last October.

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The Parole Board denied that request, but extended his current privileges for another six months.

It also notes Townsend has changed his name, though “the official documentation regarding the name change has been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”