Trio given life sentences for murder of Ryan Lane

Accused in first degree murder trial in death of Ryan Lane

Three people who were convicted of first-degree murder this week in connection with the death of a Calgary father in 2012 will face life sentences for their roles in the crime.

Sheena Cuthill-Rempel, her husband Tim Rempel and his brother William Rempel were all convicted in the case earlier this week.

On Friday, all three were given a minimum life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years by Justice Alan Macleod.

The Rempel brothers were also given 10 years for kidnapping Ryan Lane, a 24-year-old Calgary father, back in 2012. That will be served concurrently to the first-degree murder sentence.

Victim impact statements were read in court as well, ahead of the judge delivering their sentences.

Ryan's mother, Lorraine Jackson told the court that her son's death left her broken, weak and lost inside.

Jackson said she cries, hurts and is a former shell of herself. She added that she will never forgive the accused for what they did.

Meagan Lane, Ryan's sister, said in her victim statement that she'd experienced grief beyond explanation. She said the death of her brother exposed the trio for who they really are.

Tim Rempel did not address the court because his lawyer said that his client couldn’t find the ‘right words’.

Sheena Cuthill-Rempel told the court that she was ‘truly sorry for the loss of Ryan’.

William Rempel made no comment to the court.

Ryan Lane went missing back on February 7, 2012, after receiving a call from someone claiming to be able to help him with a custody dispute between him and Cuthill.

Lane’s remains were found several months later on a rural property near Beiseker, a community far northeast of Calgary.

During the trial, Tim Rempel testified that he had met with Lane along with his brother William back in 2012 and spoke with him about the custody battle in an attempt to get him to back off and leave them alone.

He said an altercation ensued, with Lane shoving him. Tim told the court that he hit him in the face, but that was the end of the confrontation.

After that, Tim said that both he and his brother left the area but Lane was alive at the time they departed.

Following 14 hours of deliberation, the jury found all three guilty of first-degree murder on Tuesday.

The Rempel brothers were also found guilty of kidnapping and showed no emotion as the verdict was read.

Tim Rempel’s lawyer, Allan Fay, has said he is looking at appealing the conviction.

(With files from Ina Sidhu)