Duane Squires recalls a moment from the previous year when his older son misplaced a Jibbitz shoe charm from his Crocs. Squires and his spouse accompanied their child to the presumed location of the lost charm, resulting in a heartfelt search. In a statement presented to the Court of King’s Bench, Squires, a detective constable at the Saint John Police Force, shared the emotional impact of the incident. He highlighted how the seemingly insignificant plastic piece held deep sentimental value for his son, serving as a connection to a lost friend.
Tragically, the friend, a 10-year-old basketball teammate, and his 17-year-old brother were brutally stabbed to death by their father, Roman Kamyshnyy. Following this horrific event, the basketball team honored the youngest victim by creating Jibbitz and stickers with his jersey number. Kamyshnyy was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of the boys, identified as A.B. and C.D.
During the trial, evidence revealed Kamyshnyy’s heinous act was driven by a desire to inflict maximum pain on his ex-wife following their divorce. Despite maintaining a lack of memory regarding the events of that tragic day, Kamyshnyy was sentenced to two concurrent life terms without parole for 25 years. The sentencing, although mandated by law, drew poignant victim impact statements from individuals affected by the murders, underscoring the profound community grief caused by the senseless tragedy.
The impact of the murders extended beyond the immediate families, affecting various facets of the community. For the Saint John High School community, the loss of C.D., a student and friend, had a deep emotional and psychological impact. The school counselors described the shock and grief that permeated the school environment, leading to widespread emotional distress among students and staff. The loss of innocence and the lingering absence of the victims continue to weigh heavily on those close to the victims, including the lead investigator and first responders.
The murders not only shook the conscience of Saint John but also undermined the sense of safety and security within the community. The tragic events highlighted the vulnerability of homes and schools, casting a shadow over the city’s collective sense of well-being. The community response emphasized the importance of unity and support for all residents, especially newcomers, in the face of such unfathomable violence. The city’s commitment to honor the victims’ memory by strengthening community bonds and safeguarding its members from fear and suffering stands as a testament to resilience and compassion in the wake of tragedy.