Storm of Deceit...Suspicious Death of Kyla Holburn

     It's as though my daughter's body still lays on the cold pavement, nearly five years later. I am obssessed and consummed with my loss, searching for answers to a crime committed with no charges laid for Negligence and her death. I am on a journey, at times crawling; indulging in self pity; wanting to die and give up on life.  I search daily to find the strength and courage to do what I need to do.

      A judge's statement made me angry; making me realize it wasn't about who killed my daughter. The following is a part from one news report: 

In passing sentence, the judge said Mr. Boden and the others involved could have avoided serious criminal charges by doing the right thing, and seeking help for Kyla. Instead, Mr. Boden stands convicted of what is, in the eyes of many, a heinous crime, the judge said.

"He will carry the stain and stigma of this offence the rest of his life," Justice Stone said.

"That's why even in jail Mr. Boden has to be protected from other prisoners," the judge said, noting Mr. Boden's 23-hour-a-day lockdown in protective custody while awaiting trial. That strict imprisonment is likely to continue, the judge said.

Even as the men responsible for the disposal of Kyla's body come to justice, the girl's family members remain in the dark about many of the circumstances leading up to her death. No one has been accused of criminal culpability and the death has not been classified a homicide.

Indeed, some of those questions may remain unanswered, the judge noted in his ruling.

"This case is not about who killed Kyla Holburn," Justice Stone said.

     What is it about I wondered? If it isn't about who killed Kyla, what is it. Does this mean he knew who killed Kyla? Oh! I forgot; she was stereotyped from the moment her body was discovered.  Did he honestly believe a girl, just turned 16 would know how to inject herself and throw herself onto a laneway to die. I think not.

     My story begins on Sunday January 2nd, 2005, the night Kyla went mysteriously missing; how out of her character this was to let me worry. Kyla always called home. She was a 'Mama's Gurl' and she didn't care who knew it. I  suddenly found myself in the most frantic situation when I had no clue where to start looking when she didn't make it home after dropping off a stray cat.

     My search for Kyla began on Monday January 3rd, 2005; Kyla's first day back to school for the new year. She hadn't made it to class. With every telephone number I found, each was called with desperation; had anyone seen my daughter Kyla.

     My eldest daughter Alyssa joined me in a car search as we drove from one home to another. One cell phone call left us wondering why Shane had no concern that Kyla was missing; another call mistakenly made to Shane's  father who would say he didn't know my daughter. This was all too strange.

     With Kyla's identification booklet clutched in my hands; I prayed there would be no need to use it. However, I finally managed to surrender to the fact that Kyla was not hiding from me, something terrible had happened to her.

      The dreadful knock came at our door at 1:25 am with two detectives, telling me of her death and how she was found. No other details, other then the fact she was dead.

      My two other daughter's Amanda and Alyssa and I were escorted to the police station; where we were questioned till 5 am. We weren't guilty of anything; but thats how they made us feel as they followed us for a washroom break.

      Reports from newscasters kept us informed on the lastest outcome of my daughter's tragic death; they knew more than I did. The news showed a tent where she was discovered; partially clothed, lying in a pool of blood.

      From that moment on I knew something more had happened to my daughter. Her body had been transported from another area, and that area was her ex-boyfriends father's home. Why would he want to hurt her?

      Three men ages 21, 34, and 43 were arrested and sentenced for 6 months for "Indignity to a dead body," what did this all mean. After 9 months of monthly hearings; little by little I heard about a girl who was stereo-typed due to the condition she was found; looking like an accidental drug over dose.

       I depended on the detectives and the Crown attorney to do what was right. But when you don't understand the judical system, the wool covers your eyes only momentarily. Many hearings would come and go; just as each time the detective would tell me I had to accept the fact; that my dauhter was a hard drug user and had come to her demise accidentally.

       I was told to hire a criminal lawyer by a friend; when I told detectives; they told me not to waste my money. I wanted charges brought against Shane's father and his girlfriend a nurse who sat idly by watching 2 men carry her out of their home. The law wasn't doing anything, so I took things into my own hands.

       The long road ahead was not something I envisioned; with deceit that came from our political leaders. Promises of help were made, but none were ever kept. I wasn't going to let any of them get me down, I returned to school and took law as one of my courses. I wasn't going to look stupid, I would know what I was talking about.