‘I can finally stop grieving’: Final walk for woman killed in apartment Saturday

Family and friends of Lauren Jarvis, who was murdered in Edmonton in 2023, will host a walk in her memory this weekend. Amanda Anderson reports.

Friends and family will be taking steps to grieve Lauren Jarvis, a 27-year-old woman who was killed in her Edmonton apartment in 2023.

For the last two years, those who knew Jarvis have been walking in her memory and to raise money for the Victims of Homicide Support Society.

• ‘She loved so generously’: Family remember Lauren Jarvis with walk to raise money for people impacted by homicide

Saturday will be the last walk remembering Jarvis, following the April conviction of the man who murdered her.

Casandra Wildermuth, Jarvis’ friend and organizer of the walk said she feels like she can finally start grieving.

“The last two years have been the most difficult years of my life,” said Wildermuth during an interview Thursday. “It’s time for me to start healing a little.”

Jarvis was attacked on April 2, 2023, in her apartment near 109 Avenue and 122 Street by a man she only knew as her neighbour’s son.

In an agreed statement of facts, court heard Ryan Farrell, who was 32 at the time, hit Jarvis with a walking stick and strangled her before covering her head with a bag and wrapping her body in a carpet.

• Manslaughter plea entered in 2023 death of woman in her Edmonton home

An autopsy found her cause of death was a combination of strangulation and blunt force trauma.

Farrell was sentenced to 10 ½ years in prison after pleading guilty in April 2025 to the killing of Jarvis. Two years was deducted from his sentence for time served. Farrell can apply for parole once he’s served a third of his sentence.

Wildermuth said she was shocked when she heard the sentencing.

“I was speechless and very fearful that offenders that commit such violent acts can just be let out like that. It’s really disheartening.”

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Wildermuth’s mother, Tracy, found Jarvis’ body after her daughter said she hadn’t heard from her after they had made plans.

“There was a brief moment when I was in her apartment, when I turned on the light to her bedroom, and her bed was empty,” said Tracy, thinking Jarvis wasn’t home. “The next thing I do is look, and then the horror of seeing her there … everything just went from slow motion to fast."

Tracy said Jarvis was like a second daughter to her.

“I loved her dearly, and it was a pretty tough time when all of this happened. But she’s still right here in our hearts,” said Tracy.

Although the walk is coming to an end, Wildermuth is not yet finished fighting for her friend.

She called Farrell’s sentence unfair and a “slap in the face” to Jarvis and her loved ones.

“I am trying to make it so that violent offenders, such as Ryan Farrell, can apply for parole three-fourths into their sentence, or one year before their sentence ends, whichever one is later,” said Wildermuth.

Alberta Ministry of Justice press secretary Heather Jenkins said the criminal justice system has been unable to properly protect public safety due to Ottawa’s “ineffective bail and parole legislation.”

“This system has made it easier for violent criminals to be released into our community, creating a vicious cycle of crime that is completely unacceptable,” said Jenkins in an emailed statement.

Alberta has had its own provincial parole board since 2021 in an effort to eliminate federal involvement in parole decisions and parole supervision of provincially sentenced offenders.

Wildermuth said the walk will be a way to raise awareness for her cause, but that she plans on sending letters to government officials.

“I want the city to take part in this, because one voice just isn’t heard. Mass voices are heard,” said Wildermuth.

Anyone who wants to support the cause and honour Jarvis can join the walk at the Kinsmen Sports Centre near the Walterdale Bridge at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The 3.5-kilometre walk will go across the Walterdale Bridge, through the Alberta legislature grounds, across the High Level Bridge and down Walterdale Hill. Walkers are encouraged to wear green—Jarvis’ favourite colour.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson and Brittany Ekelund