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Friends of Regina murder victim recall history of abuse

May 26, 2015 | 7:21 AM

Friends of Regina’s fourth murder victim of 2015 sobbed inside provincial court as the man accused in the death made his first appearance on the second degree murder charge.

Celeste Yawney, 33, was found dead in a home on Ingersoll Crescent around 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Duran Justin Redwood, 26, was arrested and charged with her death shortly after.

Redwood was hesitant to step into the prisoner’s box Monday afternoon, as a courtroom full of people who were close with Yawney awaited him. A few could be heard sobbing in their seats, some quite loudly. When Redwood was finally ushered into the glassed-in area, he turned away from those sitting in the courtroom and faced the judge. His lip was quivering and he was noticeably upset, unable to bring himself to speak. He nodded at the judge’s questions as his eyes welled up with tears.

Outside the courthouse Yawney’s friends hugged and consoled one another as tears continued to stream down their faces.

“There’s a lot of broken hearts out there today,” said Cristin Hepting, one of Celeste’s best friends for the last 21 years. “It’s awful. She’s got two little boys that don’t have a mom anymore.”

Yawney was described as happy, beautiful and full of life. Her friends also called her generous, and somebody who would do anything for anybody. They said she was somebody who loved kids, especially her own children, who are 12 and eight years old.

Those positive memories are competing with harsher ones, as Hepting said everything in the last few days hasn’t quite set in yet.

“I watched one of my best friends get carried out in a bag,” she added, explaining how she and her dog went over to check on the well-being of Yawney only to be greeted by police officers.

Hepting revealed how Yawney and Redwood had an on-again, off-again relationship. It was a relationship they claim was troubling as it was filled with domestic violence.

“She promised me she wasn’t going to go back, but she went back,” explained Tina Trombley, another friend.

Redwood had previously been charged and had pleaded guilty to assaulting Yawney in July 2014.

Neighbours claim the relationship was full of drama. A next-door neighbour explained how Yawney once came over seeking refuge, claiming she had been beaten by Redwood and felt scared and threatened. Even with this previous knowledge, her death is still unexpected to them.

“I guaranteed she downplayed everything. She wanted to be strong, she thought she could handle it, she thought she had it under control, didn’t want to take any help,” said Hepting.

“It’s hard once you get in that situation to get out,” said Trombley.

Redwood will make his next court appearance on June 1.

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