The ex-wife of Roman Kamyshnyy, who brutally murdered their two sons in Saint John, expressed in a statement that no legal sentence can ever compensate for the loss of her beloved children, whom she described as the utmost source of joy in her life. Kamyshnyy, 46, received a life sentence without parole for 25 years following his conviction for two counts of first-degree murder of the 10 and 17-year-old boys.

During the sentencing at the New Brunswick Court of King’s Bench, Justice Darrell Stephenson highlighted that the imposed sentence was mandatory under the Criminal Code, with both murder charges to be served concurrently. Stephenson expressed the severe constraints of his judicial responsibilities, emphasizing the incomprehensible nature of Kamyshnyy’s actions and the profound impact on the victims’ family and community.

The judge identified vengeance as Kamyshnyy’s motive for the heinous crime, noting the overwhelming evidence presented during the trial that detailed the calculated and gruesome manner in which he carried out the murders to inflict maximum harm on his ex-wife. The court heard that Kamyshnyy stabbed his sons multiple times in their residence, with the older son putting up a fierce struggle before succumbing to the fatal attack.

The Crown prosecutor, Elaina Campbell, described the betrayal suffered by the victims, emphasizing the devastating repercussions of the murders on the community and the enduring trauma experienced by family members and friends. The court also heard victim impact statements from various individuals, including Witness A’s mother and brother, detailing the profound emotional scars left by the senseless tragedy.

Kamyshnyy, who claimed memory loss regarding the events of that fateful day, showed no visible reaction to the imposed sentence. As part of his punishment, he was prohibited from contacting his ex-wife and her family, required to provide a DNA sample, forbidden from possessing firearms, and ordered to pay a victim fine surcharge.

Despite the harrowing ordeal, the mother of the slain boys expressed gratitude to the support received from the community, emphasizing her commitment to honoring her sons’ memory and finding strength to move forward while keeping their spirits alive.