More than 30 years after killing South Surrey teen Pamela Cameron, Mitchell James Owen still presents an undue risk to the public, Parole Board of Canada officials have concluded.
"It is the Board's opinion that B次元官网网址� your release will not contribute to the protection of society," a decision denying full parole shared Monday (Dec. 9) with Peace Arch B次元官网网址 states.
Mitchell, now 70, is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in connection with Cameron's Oct. 4, 1994 death.
While on parole after serving two concurrent 10-year sentences for rape and robbery, Owen sexually assaulted and strangled the 16-year-old Semiahmoo Secondary student after grabbing her in broad daylight as she walked home along 152 Street. Her body was found in bushes near 20 Avenue by police dogs B次元官网网址� mere paces away from the busy street.
CameronB次元官网网址檚 family had moved to the community from Milton, Ont. just two months prior to the "lively and fun" teen's death.
The brutal crime B次元官网网址� which ultimately led to the development of , a system that fans out alerts to real estate agents in the community, as well as creation of the Forever Garden adjacent to South Surrey Arena B次元官网网址� sparked a manhunt that ended when Owen turned himself in 12 days later.
In explaining its Nov. 26, 2024 decision, the Parole Board described the "highly concerning" factors and level of violence in Cameron's death: she was a complete stranger to Owen; a vulnerable victim targeted in a "blitz style attack on the side of a roadway."
Rob Stutt was among Surrey RCMP Serious Crime Unit officers who investigated the crime. Now on Surrey city council, Stutt said Tuesday (Dec. 10) the decision is "probably the most satisfactory result for a bad situation."
Noting any risk "is too much of a risk," Stutt was hesitant to say that in denying Owen parole, the system worked, "because (Cameron's murder) should have never happened."
And while knowing Owen is not on the street is likely "somewhat consoling" to her friends and loved ones, denying parole "certainly doesn't bring back a vibrant young woman, it certainly doesn't help the family," he said.
Realty Watch founder Bonnie Moy B次元官网网址� who sold Cameron's family their home in the summer of 1994 B次元官网网址� said "so many" in the community still remember the tragedy.
"The pain and destruction from a murder never goes away," she said.
"When a person has repeated serious violent history, to release them is reckless, and often deadly. I am in support of the (Parole Board) decision."
The Board considered factors including Owen's extensive criminal and conditional-release history; a background that includes childhood physical and emotional abuse, and behavioural problems; a 2020 psychological risk assessment (PRA) that determined his risk for future general and sexual violence to be high; his behaviour while incarcerated, including successful completion of recommended programming; "some progress" in addressing personal factors that contributed to his offending; his lack of plans for release; a recommendation by the Correctional Service of Canada to deny parole; and that Cameron's family members "deserve to be safe from you."
"Overall, your offence history demonstrates criminal commitment, criminal versatility, and a lack of compliance with the conditions of release," the decision states.
While Owen's behaviour in custody has "generally been good" B次元官网网址� he's been involved in around 27 security incidents since the 1995 start of his sentence, including assaults, fights, possession of contraband and self-harm B次元官网网址� intervention was required due to violence as recently as late last year, the decision notes.
"Given your age, your medium security classification, and the protracted duration of your incarceration, the Board is of the opinion that a more gradual and structured transition would be of benefit to you.
"You still have more work to do."
Owen became eligible to apply for full parole on Oct. 16, 2019, but has been eligible for day parole since Oct. 16, 2016. For that, he "can submit an application at any time," Parole Board of Canada regional communications officer Heather Byron confirmed this week.
The next legislated review for full parole is in October 2029. He can, however, reapply in one year.
Cameron's mother, Marilyn, ahead of Owen's 2019 eligibility, said she wants her daughter's killer to "remain in jail for the rest of his natural life."
"May God help us if he ever gets out."
