Burns Lake resident Reuben Buhler was sentenced to life in prison for killing three people in a Burns Lake residence on April 27, 2015.
In Smithers Supreme Court on Feb. 28, 2018, Buhler received a life sentence with no eligibility for parole for 22 years.
Buhler also received a lifetime ban from possessing firearms and was required to submit a DNA sample.
Triple homicide
Buhler became a person of interest after Burns Lake RCMP members went to a residence in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue just before 8:30 a.m. on April 27, 2015.
They were responding to a report of potential foul play.
Neighbours said they heard gun shots ringing out earlier that morning.
When the police arrived, they found Ridge Vern Vienneau, Mitchel Wade Ruttan and former Quesnel resident Ehr Ola Anderson dead inside.
Guilty plea
Originally Buhler was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, but on May 4, 2017 the accused entered a guilty plea to three counts of second-degree murder during a court appearance in Smithers Supreme Court.
Buhler’s lawyer said Crown agreed to drop the first-degree murder charges for a guilty plea to second-degree murder charges.
Second-degree murder is a deliberate killing, but an unplanned murder.
There was no trial, so the families of the victims did not have to suffer through the re-hashing of the murder details during a trial.
Buhler will automatically be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 10 years; however, the Justice determines the length.
Buhler appeared in Smithers Supreme Court on Dec. 12, 2017 to deal with his sentencing hearing process; however, weather conditions would not allow the Supreme Court Justice to land in Smithers.
Buhler’s sentencing appearance was scheduled for Feb. 28 when he and the families of his victims heard how long he would have to stay in prison before he becomes eligible for a parole hearing.
The wait
The families of the victims have been waiting a long time to get some closure.
Ehr Anderson’s sister-in-law, Roni Lacy, says there are no words to describe the pain and suffering family has had to endure.
“Existing, no longer living, we are all broken inside,” the Quesnel area resident adds.
“Our sister, Ehr Anderson, was a beautiful soul. Her smile was infectious.” the Quesnel resident says.
“Ehr was our travelling gypsy. She left an impression wherever she went, and she had friends in every town and city across Canada.”
Lacy says Ehr’s relationship with her mother was one of a kind; their birthdays fell on the same day.
“Ehr still held her mom’s hand while walking down the street… they were best friends….
“The bond between Ehr and her brother was one most siblings wish they had….
“Three years later, we still have to tell ourselves this has really happened. She was murdered. He took her from us.
“Without Ehr, our days seem dark. She was our light… sadness consumes us.”
Lacy says the agony of waiting and waiting for sentencing – only to be remanded over and over has left the family in shambles and family members are emotionally drained.
“We are not happy the Crown accepted a second-degree [murder]plea.
“However, we feel it really doesn’t matter anymore, nothing will bring her back.”
Three people were murdered and all of our lives changed in a second, she explains.
“Ehr, Ridge and Mitch will forever be remembered. We will hold them in our hearts and do our best to carry on….”