The Story Begins:
November 30, 1984, Candace went missing on her way home from school in Winnipeg, Canada.
This sparked one of Winnipeg's largest searches for a missing person that lasted six and a half weeks. She seemed to have just disappeared into thin air. We hoped for the best outcome, but feared the worst. She was a 13-year-old child in a woman’s body, that moment of vulnerability when one minute they’re a child and the next a woman.
Eventually Candace’s body was found in a shack not far from our home – her hands and feet had been tied. By that we knew someone had forced her there but we didn't know who or why, and we lived with the mystery of not knowing for the next 22 years.
The day her body was found all our friends came to visit bringing warm food with them. There was so much love in the house that it helped us get through.
Through the appearance of a bereaved father at our door, we learned from him that the aftermath of murder can be just as deadly as the act of killing. We decided to fight the trauma, the fear, the anger, and the over-whelming grief that wanted to inhabit our souls.
Then, in 2007, everything changed when Mark Edward Grant was charged with Candace’s murder. On January 17, 2011 the trial began. It was exactly 26 years to the day when Candace’s body was found. On February 18, 2011 Grant was found guilty and convicted of second-degree murder.
When Mark Grant received 25 years without parole, his sentence seemed to match the gravity of the offence and we were satisfied. We felt that the world was a little safer again. But unfortunately that wasn't the end of the process because since then the case has gone to appeal and is currently before Canada’s top court.
It was troubling to think we would have to go through another trial, the waste of public money and the ongoing “guilty or not guilty” debate that erodes the public’s faith in the justice system.
After a year-long trial process, on October 18, 2017, the Judges decision was to acquit Mark Edward Grant.
We as a family are content to go on with our lives. We are just grateful that there was a trial and that our justice system revealed many truths.
This sparked one of Winnipeg's largest searches for a missing person that lasted six and a half weeks. She seemed to have just disappeared into thin air. We hoped for the best outcome, but feared the worst. She was a 13-year-old child in a woman’s body, that moment of vulnerability when one minute they’re a child and the next a woman.
Eventually Candace’s body was found in a shack not far from our home – her hands and feet had been tied. By that we knew someone had forced her there but we didn't know who or why, and we lived with the mystery of not knowing for the next 22 years.
The day her body was found all our friends came to visit bringing warm food with them. There was so much love in the house that it helped us get through.
Through the appearance of a bereaved father at our door, we learned from him that the aftermath of murder can be just as deadly as the act of killing. We decided to fight the trauma, the fear, the anger, and the over-whelming grief that wanted to inhabit our souls.
Then, in 2007, everything changed when Mark Edward Grant was charged with Candace’s murder. On January 17, 2011 the trial began. It was exactly 26 years to the day when Candace’s body was found. On February 18, 2011 Grant was found guilty and convicted of second-degree murder.
When Mark Grant received 25 years without parole, his sentence seemed to match the gravity of the offence and we were satisfied. We felt that the world was a little safer again. But unfortunately that wasn't the end of the process because since then the case has gone to appeal and is currently before Canada’s top court.
It was troubling to think we would have to go through another trial, the waste of public money and the ongoing “guilty or not guilty” debate that erodes the public’s faith in the justice system.
After a year-long trial process, on October 18, 2017, the Judges decision was to acquit Mark Edward Grant.
We as a family are content to go on with our lives. We are just grateful that there was a trial and that our justice system revealed many truths.
Timeline:
July 6, 1971 - Candace was born in Chilliwack, B.C.
August 1980 - at 11 years old Candace moved to Winnipeg with her family.
November 30, 1984 – at 13 years old Candace disappeared on her way home from school.
December 1, 1985 - Candace dies - murdered.
January 17, 1985 – Candace’s body was found in a shed. (Considered her official death date.)
January 24, 1985 – Candace’s funeral.
November 16, 2004 – Winnipeg Police Cold Case unit opened file, titled it "Project Angel."
May 16, 2007 – Mark Edward Grant was charged with first-degree murder. - 22 years later.
February 16 - Mar. 6, 2009 – Initial dates given for Preliminary Hearing - delayed.
August 24, 2009 – Grant pleaded not guilty.
August 24 - Sept. 10, 2009 – Preliminary Hearing in provincial court.
September 15, 2009 – Grant formally indicted on a charge of first-degree murder.
January 6, 2011 – 12 Jurors and two alternates are selected for Grant’s trial.
January 17, 2011 – Trial began - 26 years to the day Candace’s body was found.
February 18, 2011 – Verdict – Grant was found guilty and convicted of second-degree murder.
April 27, 2011 – Scheduled sentencing date – postponed.
May 26, 2011 – Grant was sentenced to life with no chance of parole for 25 years. (26 years after abduction)
April 16 - 17, 2013 – Appeal heard at Manitoba Court of Appeal.
October 30, 2013 – Decision reversed - call for a new trial.
December 31, 2013 – Application to the Supreme Court of Canada.
March 20, 2014 – The Supreme Court of Canada accepted application
November 14, 2014 – Date of Supreme Court of Canada Hearing
March 5, 2015 - Supreme Court upholds Manitoba. Appeal Court ruling - calls for a new trial..
January 26, 2016 - Candace's friend, Heidi (Harms) Friesen dies - much too soon.
January 16, 2017 – Second trial begins - - 32 years after Candace’s murder
February 21, 2017 – Release of book The Way of Letting Go
February 24, 2017 – Last day of the trial – all witnesses heard.
March 24, 2017 – Judge rules on admissibility of voire dires – moved almost all into trial proper
May 12, 2017 – Closing Arguments.
July 13, 2017 – Assignment Court/Queens Bench - Remanded
September 13, 2017 – Assignment Court/Queens Bench - Remanded
October 18, 2017 - Verdict.... Judge's decision - Acquittal
November 8, 2017 - Crown announces they will not appeal.
It's over!
We are relieved the process is over.
It's hard to explain but we feel tremendous gratitude after all of this.
We feel better informed. We feel that Candace was honored. We feel free.
August 1980 - at 11 years old Candace moved to Winnipeg with her family.
November 30, 1984 – at 13 years old Candace disappeared on her way home from school.
December 1, 1985 - Candace dies - murdered.
January 17, 1985 – Candace’s body was found in a shed. (Considered her official death date.)
January 24, 1985 – Candace’s funeral.
November 16, 2004 – Winnipeg Police Cold Case unit opened file, titled it "Project Angel."
May 16, 2007 – Mark Edward Grant was charged with first-degree murder. - 22 years later.
February 16 - Mar. 6, 2009 – Initial dates given for Preliminary Hearing - delayed.
August 24, 2009 – Grant pleaded not guilty.
August 24 - Sept. 10, 2009 – Preliminary Hearing in provincial court.
September 15, 2009 – Grant formally indicted on a charge of first-degree murder.
January 6, 2011 – 12 Jurors and two alternates are selected for Grant’s trial.
January 17, 2011 – Trial began - 26 years to the day Candace’s body was found.
February 18, 2011 – Verdict – Grant was found guilty and convicted of second-degree murder.
April 27, 2011 – Scheduled sentencing date – postponed.
May 26, 2011 – Grant was sentenced to life with no chance of parole for 25 years. (26 years after abduction)
April 16 - 17, 2013 – Appeal heard at Manitoba Court of Appeal.
October 30, 2013 – Decision reversed - call for a new trial.
December 31, 2013 – Application to the Supreme Court of Canada.
March 20, 2014 – The Supreme Court of Canada accepted application
November 14, 2014 – Date of Supreme Court of Canada Hearing
March 5, 2015 - Supreme Court upholds Manitoba. Appeal Court ruling - calls for a new trial..
January 26, 2016 - Candace's friend, Heidi (Harms) Friesen dies - much too soon.
January 16, 2017 – Second trial begins - - 32 years after Candace’s murder
February 21, 2017 – Release of book The Way of Letting Go
February 24, 2017 – Last day of the trial – all witnesses heard.
March 24, 2017 – Judge rules on admissibility of voire dires – moved almost all into trial proper
May 12, 2017 – Closing Arguments.
July 13, 2017 – Assignment Court/Queens Bench - Remanded
September 13, 2017 – Assignment Court/Queens Bench - Remanded
October 18, 2017 - Verdict.... Judge's decision - Acquittal
November 8, 2017 - Crown announces they will not appeal.
It's over!
We are relieved the process is over.
It's hard to explain but we feel tremendous gratitude after all of this.
We feel better informed. We feel that Candace was honored. We feel free.
"There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested,
but I would not and could not give myself up to despair.
That way lays defeat and death."
Nelson Mandela
but I would not and could not give myself up to despair.
That way lays defeat and death."
Nelson Mandela