Warning: This story contains graphic details of crime which may be disturbing to some readers.

The man who raped and murdered Maple Ridge mother Colleen Findlay 20 years ago has been granted day parole.

Dr. Jim Findlay said he and his family oppose the release of Jeremy Wade Vojkovic, noting the Parole Board of Canada has called him at least a medium risk to re-offend.

B次元官网网址淭he feeling is that heB次元官网网址檚 absolved of his crime, and that is repugnant to us,B次元官网网址� said Findlay.

The family members live locally, and Findlay said the saving grace is that Vojkovic, now 35, will not be allowed to visit the Lower Mainland. However, Findlay said he worries that other families could be victims.

Vojkovic was sentenced to life in prison in March of 2004 for first degree murder. He was 15 in November of 2002 when he entered a barn on the property owned by the victim and her husband, who is a Maple Ridge dentist.

Vojkovic was startled by the woman, and choked her unconscious. He used duct tape to restrain her, sexually assaulted her, then took her to the house. He cut the womanB次元官网网址檚 throat with a knife, poured gas over her and around the house, then lit a fire. The cause of Colleen FindlayB次元官网网址檚 death was smoke inhalation.

Vojkovic drove away in the victimB次元官网网址檚 car, then spent the afternoon driving and meeting friends. They smoked stolen cigars and marijuana, and Vojkovic bought beer for his friends. Police located the murdered womanB次元官网网址檚 vehicle, and arrested him.

He was a young offender, but was tried in adult court. The sentencing judge noted he had not demonstrated significant remorse, that the offence was deliberate with extreme violence, and suggested a likelihood of sadistic sexual arousal. Vojkovic was on bail when he committed the murder.

The report notes Vojkovic had an unstable upbringing, was in the foster care system, and witnessed and experienced abuse.

B次元官网网址淭he board has considered your unique circumstances as an Indigenous man. You are Metis through the maternal line,B次元官网网址� said the report. B次元官网网址淵ou have family who attended residential school where they suffered abuse, the board is aware of the inter-generational impact of residential school on survivors and their children. The board acknowledges the linkage between your developmental years and your engagement in substance abuse and the criminal justice system.B次元官网网址�

Psychological risk assessments over the years have rated his risk of re-offending as extremely high in 2003, high in 2004 and moderate in 2014 and 2019.

While in prison there have been incidents of violence, drinking hand sanitizer, leaving minimum security institutions without authorization, questionable associations, and allegations of moving contraband around the institution, notes the Parole Board report.

B次元官网网址淵ou have been part of the subculture, and likely developed some entrenched criminal views, exemplified by the con-code you adhered to for many years. It will be a challenge to recreate new community-based values given the length of time you spent in jail and your level of institutionalization,B次元官网网址� said the report.

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Jim Findlay read a statement to the parole board in June. It was critical of Corrections Canada for not supporting victims.

B次元官网网址淢y wife Colleen was a kind and fine woman, wife and mother, daughter and beloved friend of many when she was murdered one month after her 39th birthday,B次元官网网址� said Findlay. B次元官网网址淛eremy Vojkovic is 35. He looks forward to his whole rest of his life at age 35. The person he killed was not much older than he is now. The life he casually tortured and murdered was his age. The life he looks forward to was exactly the forward outlook of Colleen. Is he still considered to be young? Or youngish? Was the life he ended youngish?

B次元官网网址淧arole Board members, never lose sight of the nauseating and horrific hurt he put on my wife before he left her do die in terrifying misery. When Jeremy Vojkovic has lived the length of life ahead that my wife should have deserved, then he will have yet to pay a sufficient price.B次元官网网址�

Vojkovic has had escorted absences, including one in September of 2021 to visit his motherB次元官网网址檚 grave, to his fatherB次元官网网址檚 home, and to a spirit bath with an elder.

His goal, upon his release, is to work in the construction industry.

The report said of Vojkovic B次元官网网址淵ou are focused on the future, and that future includes continuing with your Indigenous practices and ceremonies.B次元官网网址�

It noted he will be sensitive to the concerns of the victimB次元官网网址檚 family, and not settle near them.

It also noted he has completed programming, has done well, and has not had a violent incident since 2012.

The terms and conditions of the day parole include:

B次元官网网址� A term of six months.

B次元官网网址� No overnight leave.

B次元官网网址� No association with people involved in criminal activity or substance abuse.

B次元官网网址� No illicit drugs or alcohol use.

B次元官网网址� Immediately report all intimate, sexual or not, relationships with females to a parole supervisor.

B次元官网网址� Follow treatment plan to address areas of sexual deviancy, violence, coping skills, substance abuse and poor problem solving skills.

B次元官网网址� No contact with the victimB次元官网网址檚 family.

B次元官网网址� Not to go to the Lower Mainland without written approval.

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