Man who killed young B.C. mom sobs at sentencing hearing

Tuesday was an emotionally wrenching day for the family of Chelsey Gauthier as they watched her killer in court for his sentencing hearing.

He’s a convicted killer. But Gary Losch cried in a B.C. courtroom as friends and family talked about his victim, 22-year-old Chelsey Gauthier, at his sentencing hearing Tuesday.

Losch, 70, was found guilty in July of manslaughter and indignity to human remains in Gauthier’s stabbing death.

The young Indigenous mother left behind two young children.

“They’re amazing and she should be here to see that, and they should get that chance to see her,” said an emotional Kristin, who is now the guardian of Gauthier’s two young girls.

Gauthier was killed in 2017. Her body was found in a remote, forested area near Mission. Gauthier met Losch when she agreed to help him tend to his outdoor marijuana grow operation.

Eleven gut-wrenching victim impact statements from Gauthier’s family and friends were read out in B.C. Supreme Court in Abbotsford on the first day of the sentencing hearing.

They described Gauthier as a gentle and loving mother. They said she brought joy to those who knew her, and her death has left them with deep and painful scars.

Many in the courtroom cried as the statements were read, including Losch.

“I don’t buy it. I honestly think it’s an act and I don’t buy it whatsoever,” said Jeremiah Gauthier, Chelsey’s brother, of Losch’s emotional response to victim impact statements.

However, Kirstin said she was “relieved” to see Losch’s tears.

“It’s the first sign of any sort of remorse whatsoever, and if it was genuine—maybe he understands what he’s done now,” she told CTV News outside court.

Kristin also said that she took the time to look Losch in the eyes as she told the court about the loss of Chelsey.

“He’s a coward, he’s an old coward because he couldn’t look back,” she said of Losch.

In police videos obtained from the court by CTV News, Losch repeatedly denied any involvement in Gauthier’s death when questioned by police.

“What do you think happened to her when she was out there?” an investigator asked Losch in one of the video interviews.

“I have no idea. Like, I don’t know. I can’ t say. I don’t know,” Losch said.

Ironically, he also told police that he hoped there would be justice in her killing.

“Because it’s horrible, that’s all I can say,” Losch told police.

He was charged with second-degree murder on Sept. 10, 2022, but found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Gauthier’s family is hoping for justice.

“Unfortunately, the only true justice that I feel is going to be happening, and I wish this wasn’t the case, but God, a higher power will make justice at the end of the day,” said Amanda Gauthier, Chelsey’s cousin.

“But to have justice in the court systems, we’ll see how it goes. We don’t know really what’s going to happen.”

Crown is asking for a sentence of 12 years for manslaughter and two years for indignity to human remains.

Defence will make its submissions on Wednesday.

The court heard that Losch has a previous criminal record, including a conviction for arson with disregard for human life. He was living in a tent in Abbotsford at the time of Gauthier’s death.

A psych assessment found he was a medium risk for future violence.

He is currently out on bail.