Convicted child killer Shane Ertmoed, who is serving a life sentence, has been granted a 60-day unescorted temporary absence from prison to take cooking classes.
Ertmoed was denied day parole last year because he still posed a risk of serious harm to others.
Ertmoed, then 24, was convicted in 2002 of the sexual assault and killing of 10-year-old Heather Thomas.
Thomas disappeared on October 1, 2000, while riding a bike outside her father’s townhouse complex in Cloverdale.
Her body was found three weeks later in Alouette Lake.
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Child killer Shane Ertmoed applies for unescorted day passes
Heather’s mother, Jody Aspin, told Global News she was outraged to learn of the parole board’s decision.
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I’m afraid and I’m afraid for the children, because I know what he did to my daughter and I know he will do it again,” she said.
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“And no one should have the life that I have because of him.”
The Parole Board acknowledges the seriousness of Ertmoed’s crime and his history of sexual behaviour involving children, but stated he has made progress in treatment, has been taking medication to reduce sexual arousal, and has completed previous escorted temporary absences without concern.
Under the plan, Ertmoed will live at a community residential facility under 24-hour supervision. He will work four-and-a-half hours a day, five-days-a-week with a Red Seal Chef.
He will also continue counselling and other rehabilitation programs.
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Child killer Shane Ertmoed granted escorted-leave
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Ertmoed will be under strict conditions that include him not being allowed to return to the Lower Mainland, including Surrey, or visit the provinces of Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario.
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He also cannot have unsupervised contact with girls under 18 years old and his internet and electronic devices will be subject to strict restrictions and monitoring.
Aspin said the decision is just another example of how Heather’s family is made to continuously suffer at the hands of her daughter’s killer.
“Everyone always says, ‘it can never happen to you,’” she said.
“Well, it did happen to me. Be near your kids; walk them to school, know where they are at all times. Just treasure every moment you have with your kids. Because otherwise, you’re gonna end up like me. I go and visit my daughter in a graveyard.
That’s not how life is supposed to be.”
The 60-day temporary absence was authorized on Sept. 2, with Ertmoed slated to start his release on Sept. 28.
That date has now been postponed, but the reason is unclear.
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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