I’m no animal killer, says B.C.’s other Kayla Bourque

Kayla Bourque, 23, of New Westminster said she's worried about being confused with a namesake who has been convicted of killing animals. Jan. 9, 2013. (CTV)

A New Westminster woman who shares the same name, age and hometown as animal killer Kayla Bourque is worried she’s bound to be confused for the notorious ex-convict.

The innocent Bourque, 23, said she initially took the news of her namesake’s crimes with good humour, but grew more concerned after learning she planned to move to Vancouver.

“It got a little closer to home, literally. My family started getting calls from reporters,” Bourque said. “And not just my core family, but aunts I haven’t talked to in quite a while.”

“It’s not just me, but my whole family that’s getting looked at funny.”

Both women grew up in Prince George, but never crossed paths. Bourque told CTV News she first found out about the coincidence when she tried signing up for swimming lessons as an elementary school student, and was almost sent straight into Level 2.

Years later, she learned about the other Bourque’s conviction when a friend texted her to joke that she’d read about her in the newspaper.

“I was like whatever, this is just going to be one of those things my coworkers are going to bug me about,” Bourque said.

Amid ongoing media attention and public concern, however, Bourque said she’s now seriously considering whether a name change is in order.

The infamous Kayla Bourque was released from jail this week, spurring B.C. Corrections Branch to issue an unusual public warning about her “escalating criminal history.”

Bourque was sentenced to eight months in prison last year after pleading guilty to counts of killing an animal, causing pain and suffering to an animal and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Search warrant documents obtained by CTV News suggest Bourque had told a fellow student she befriended at SFU she also wanted to “get a gun and kill homeless people” and “kill her mother and younger brother.”

Officers who searched her university resident found what they described as a “kill kit” containing a knife, syringe, restraints, black gloves and a demon mask.

Bourque was released under 46 court-ordered conditions, including a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., which Bourque can only break to obtain emergency medical treatment or with the written permission of a probation officer.

She’s forbidden from owning weapons, internet-capable cell phones or computers, and animals, and barred from attending any post-secondary courses.

Bourque has also been ordered not to associate with anyone under the age of 18, or visit a school, park, playground, swimming pool or any area where they’re likely to be present.

She cannot begin any close, intimate, familiar or familial relationships without advising those involved about her criminal record with a probation officer present. She also must participate in any psychiatric assessments and counselling programs her probation officer orders.

Anyone who sees Bourque violating any of her conditions is asked to call local police immediately.