Trial for Murder of Noelle Paquette: Victim Impact Statements

Noelle Paquette is seen in an undated photo.

A number of victim impact statements were read at the sentencing of Tanya Bogdanovich and Michael MacGregor for the murder of Noelle Paquette, a selection is below.

Victim Impact Statement of Roger Paquette, Noelle's father:

Words alone cannot explain how much pain your actions have caused to our family and friends. A father is supposed to protect his kids from dangerous people and the fact that I couldn't protect Noelle crushes me. Our peaceful family life was made chaotic by her murder and the predatory way in which it was carried out. You have deprived me of the honor of walking Noelle down the aisle on her wedding day. You have deprived her mother and I of the joy of seeing our grandhcildren that would have come from this marriage. You have derpived hundreds of children in Sarnia-Lambton the privilege of having that one teacher that everyone remembers from their school days. I am burdened by the fact that in twenty two years these offenders may apply for parole, and yet I will never see my daughter Noelle again. It causes me great distress and I even feel sick when I hear the offender's names. Noelle and I had our differeces. We are/were both stubborn, but I miss her terribly. Her laugh, her smile, her hugs will never be replaced, but the memories will last forever.

Victim Impact Statement of Lynn Paquette, Noelle's mother:

This is so very difficult to write as there are so many joyful memories to share about Noelle. She was an Ontario Scholar, a wonderful teacher, friend, but an amazing daughter and my best friend.

When Noelle was young she was this deep voiced, determined, curly blonde haired little girl ready to take on the world. At a very young age she loved to dance and read and when she said her prayers she asked God's blessing for each of her family members, friends, teachers including all the animals and birds.

She was confident but so compassionate for life. Noelle was the one that would help the teachers and encourage others to join. She was the one that knew when a school mate was sad or having a bad day and cheer them up. She was the one that stood up for someone being teased and bullied and make them her friend.

Noelle continued her passion for helping others with volunteering for the soup kitchens in Ottawa while attending her busy schedule at University. When she returned home to Sarnia she volunteered her time at the local schools and the Sunshine Foundation. When waiting for a teaching position she worked with Sarnia Community Living. There she embraced her clients like they were family with her daily hugs and love. Her dream came true when she had a placement at St. Matthews. She was surprised by the number of students that did not have the day to day necessities. That is when she started to bring extra lunches, purchased shoes and school supplies for those without. She tried to ensure each and every student in her class was happy and participated. She hugged those that were sad and treated them with kindness. They called her "Miss P" as they had difficulty pronouncing her name.

Noelle loved her family. She would sit with her Grandma's and listen to their life stories. She was at every birth of her nephews. She cherished each and every one of them. Her laugh was contagious and brightened your day. I am so proud of you Noelle, the woman you became and will always be.

I will never forget that New Year’s day when we did not hear from Noelle. My heart ached immediately. I knew something was wrong. she would have called.

When I got the call to go the police station for some questioning I was numb. I remember after the questioning we were told that Noelle was found. My legs collapsed and my heart felt like it broke into pieces. Since those days I have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression. I continue to have nightmares and have been unable to return to work and continue to see a therapist and doctor.

To listen to the unfathomable, devastating circumstances of Noelle's last hours of life tears me apart. Not a day goes by that I do not yearn to hear her voice, to go shopping or just give her a hug.

Tanya Bogdanovich and Michael Mac Gregor you have taken away our beautiful daughter, our joy and a piece of my heart. The acts that you have taken you and your families must now live with the consequences) want you to know you never took Noelle's soul and therefore you did not win! Noelle's kindness, faith, giving heart will live on forever. We will continue her legacy for years to come.

Victim Impact Statement of Nicole Paquette (Knowles), Noelle's sister:

I stand before you today to try and express to you how the murder of my sister Noelle Marie Paquette has significantly impacted my life. Words cannot describe the hurt, anguish, anger and sadness that one person can feel when their sister, who was also their best friend, was murdered and lost their life to such a horrific act of violence.

January 1st, 2013 our lives changed forever. I answered my phone at 930 in the morning to my step mom sounding distressed because she had not yet heard from Noelle. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of my family’s nightmare. They say a mother’s intuition is always right and I never so badly wanted her to be wrong.

The emotional damage and fears I have experienced since Noelle was taken from us are ones that are impossible to find words to describe. Noelle wasn’t just a sister to me, she was a proud Aunt to my son Ben and was ecstatic about becoming an aunt once again as I was 29 weeks pregnant when she was taken from us. Noelle never got to meet my youngest son Brayden. Because of this my son’s will only be able to know their aunt through her beautiful legacy.

Noelle was also a sister in-law to my husband Andy. Noelle’s senseless death had definitely put a strain on our marriage. How is one supposed to know how to support their spouse and family through this horrendous time in our lives? The lack of knowing how to support me was a big contributing factor to our marriage now being broken. My husband and I have now separated.

The horrific act of violence that the offenders did to my sister has greatly impacted my personal sense of security. Living in a small town I have always felt safe to go outside on my own either before sunrise or after sunset. I have always enjoyed running recreationally and have used running as a good way to clear my mind. I am now unable to run outside on my own when it is dark as I now have the fear that someone is going to take me. The feeling of my heart pounding out of control due to anxiety is beyond terrifying. As a result of this crime, I didn’t know I could be hurt and feel now that evil lurks in my small, once safe, community.

In life we are blessed with a special friend….a sister. Someone who changes your life just by being a part of it. Someone who makes you laugh until you can’t stop. Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world. A sister brings compassion and love to all things she does. This is a forever friendship. When you’re down and the world seems empty, a sister lifts up your spirit and makes that empty world suddenly seem bright and full. A sister gets you through the hard times, the sad times and the confused times. If you turn and walk away, a sister will follow. If you lose your way, your forever friend guides you and cheers you on. Always smiling….finding the good in all things. A sister will dance with you forever. A sister holds your hand and tells you that everything is going to be ok. And if you are blessed to have sisters, as I do, you feel fortunate and complete because you need not worry. You have a forever friend, and forever has no end. So my dear sister continue to dance like no one is watching, love as though you’ve never been hurt, sing as though no one can hear you and be held safe in the arms of the angels.