Family of Wells Gray mass murder victims compile statements, petition to keep killer behind bars

In August of 1982, David Shearing, who now goes by David Ennis, shot grandparents George and Edith Bentley and parents Bob and Jackie Johnson as they camped just outside Wells Gray Provincial Park.

He then abducted the Johnson’s 13- and 11-year-old daughters, Janet and Karen, and spent several days torturing and sexually assaulting them before killing them.

He then put all six bodies into the Johnson’s car and set it on fire.

After a long, cross-Canada investigation, Ennis was arrested and later pleaded guilty to six counts of second-degree murder, sentenced to six concurrent sentences of life imprisonment without eligibility for parole for 25 years.

He is up for full parole at a hearing in July. He is seeking to live within an hour of Bowden, Alta., where he’s incarcerated.

The victim’s family has collected impact statements and more than 80,000 names on a petition to ensure Ennis is denied parole.

He has been denied parole twice and opted out of parole eligibility twice.

In February, Shelley Boden, Bob and Jackie’s niece and cousin to Janet and Karen, told Global News she doesn’t want to have to attend another parole hearing for the man that killed so many members of her family.

“We’re all afraid that he’s going to come out and re-offend,” she said.

by Amy Judd / Global BC

Family of Wells Gray mass murder victims compile statements, petition to keep killer behind bars

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