Ont. man who murdered, set former girlfriend’s remains on fire, granted continued day parole

Ryan Kovacs, who killed his ex-girlfriend Dawn Bailey, in 2011 was granted day parole extension.

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A Bradford, Ont. man, who was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2011 stabbing and strangulation of his former girlfriend, has been granted continued day parole through the summer.

Ryan Kovacs, 40, is now one step closer to being released from prison following a parole board hearing earlier this year.

It has been 12 years since Kovacs pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the brutal death of his former girlfriend Dawn Bailey inside her Gilford, Ont. home on July 31, 2011. The court heard Kovacs snuck into Bailey’s basement bedroom that night and stabbed her several times before setting the home on fire to cover up the crime.

He then confessed to killing Bailey and was initially charged with first-degree murder and arson.

Kovacs had sent Bailey a text message saying he would stab her in the heart if “she screwed him over.” Bailey ended their two-year relationship six months before her murder. The court heard Kovacs refused to move on as Bailey had. Obsessed and angry with Bailey, Kovacs messaged a friend on Facebook saying he was going to hurt someone.

The court heard, after a night of drinking and smoking marijuana and doing magic mushrooms, Kovacs drove from Huntsville to Bailey’s home and ended Bailey’s life as promised. She was 27.

The parole board noted Kovacs has battled substance abuse issues since he was 14, having tried acid, crack cocaine and heroin, saying alcohol has ruined his life and he did not plan on drinking again. Kovacs reported a history of suicide attempts and overdoses, and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and treated with medications, including anti-psychotic injections.

The board said Kovacs was devastated by the breakup with Bailey and blamed her for his downward spiral - adding his risk for future violence against an intimate partner is high with extreme mood swings and anger control issues.

Kovacs also reported hearing voices and is ordered to continue mental health counselling. The board noted his reintegration potential has increased from low to medium.

Sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 16 years from the date of his arrest, the earliest Kovacs will be eligible for parole is July 31, 2027.

As part of his conditions, Kovacs must report all friendships and intimate relationships with women.

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