A convicted killer is back behind bars after violating his early release.
The murder happened 23 years ago in Saskatoon, but the parole violation that sent Kenneth David Mackay back to prison occurred in Victoria earlier this year.
Crystal Paskemin, 21, had a bright future in 2000. She had recently moved to Saskatoon from the family’s home on the Sweet Grass reservation and attended bible college.
Her younger sister, Tanya LaRose, says her family never recovered from her death.
“It was a tremendous loss when she was murdered,” LaRose told CHEK News.
A court sentenced MacKay for the first-degree murder of Paskemin in June 2002. He spent 21 years in prison until January, when he was released to a Victoria halfway house.
“I wanted to warn the public as soon as I found out. Warning the public was my number one priority. Because I knew he was not rehabilitated,” said LaRose.
And now, Mackay’s parole has been revoked following an interaction with a Victoria co-worker.
In September, a Victoria woman confirmed to CHEK News her daughter became fearful after a number of encounters with MacKay at the company they both worked at.
MacKay would show up on his days off, offering to drive the woman’s daughter home. The woman researched his name, discovering his criminal past.
“I know that woman’s mother was pivotal in them finding out and removing themselves from that situation,” said LaRose.
She says she will continue to fight to keep her sister’s killer behind bars.
It was in 2000 when MacKay drove Paskemin to an isolated road on the outskirts of Saskatoon and sexually assaulted her. When she tried to escape, MacKay hit her so hard it broke her jaw and knocked out a tooth.
He then drove his truck over her head before using a chain to drag her naked body into a ditch before lighting her remains on fire.
Parole documents indicate Mackay only recently admitted responsibility for the crime.
A psychologist concluded “concern regarding Mackay’s power and control issues” and evaluated him as a “high risk to violently re-offend.”
“She was a wonderful woman,” said LaRose, whose Facebook page, Crystal’s Gift, is named in her sister’s memory and is dedicated to supporting single mothers.
Paskemin was a member of the Sweetgrass First Nation and had four sisters, all younger than her at the time of her death.
WATCH: Man convicted of killing woman in Saskatchewan arrested in Victoria, parole suspended
Mary Griffin
