‘My heart has been destroyed’: Dylan Chretien murder case concludes with final sentencing

The agreed statement of facts

In late October 2019, when Dylan Chretien offered a friend a ride from Lloydminster to Prince Albert. They drove to a known gang house in the city’s Carlton Park area and the female friend left soon after to tend to other matters, only to be later arrested on an unrelated matter.

Meanwhile, Chretien stayed behind at the residence and socialized with the people there. During that time, he was asked to go for food, and also withdraw 100 dollars.

Chretien returned with the Chinese food and then left again, only to receive a text message from Brandon Smith a short time later inquiring where the cash was. When Chretien returned to the apartment, he was taken into a bedroom by Smith, Goodvoice and Sharise Sutherland Kayseas, and brutally assaulted. To drown out the sounds of Chretien’s screams, the music playing in the residence was turned up very loud.

Smith and Goodvoice left the room with Chretien draped over their shoulders, and Chretien, who was still conscious, pleaded for others in the house to help, but no one moved.

Chretien was then taken outside and tossed into a vehicle. Goodvoice, Smth and Kayseas then proceeded to drive to an area northwest of the city and left Chretien there, essentially to die.

Dylan Chretien’s truck was found abandoned in the Nordale area. (Submitted photo/Prince Albert Police)

A missing person report was filed on Nov. 2, 2020, and Chretien’s roommate in Lloydminster recalled receiving a text message Chretien was dead and that his body was left in a slough near Saskatchewan Penitentiary.

However, despite several searches of the area, Chretien’s body was not found by police until a month later, using the last known location on Chretien’s phone. Due to the damage caused by the elements, the pathologist could not determine the cause of death, however, found evidence of multiple stab wounds, blunt force trauma to the head, and signs of ligature strangulation.

Victim Impact statement

A letter written by Chretien’s mother Brenda, was read in court Thursday by Crown Prosecutor Doug Howell.

Brenda described how she and her son had a close bond and that he was her last remaining family member, as she had lost others to cancer.

“He was stolen from me,” she said. “There are no words to capture the depth of my loss.”

Dylan and best friend Kuda. (Submitted photo/ Brenda Chretien)

Describing her son as her strength and saviour, Brenda said she has constant nightmares; lives in fear that the gang members may come after her next; has lost her job and is in financial devastation.

“They might as well have murdered me too,” she said.

Stating pain is a life sentence, Brenda went on to explain how she and her son had plans to open a business together, but now she can no longer look forward to the idea of having grandchildren or even celebrating birthday parties. She asked the Justice to give both the accused the maximum sentence, as that’s what she felt they gave her.

“My heart has been destroyed,” she said.

Much like Goodvoice, both Smith and Kayseas also received five-year sentences. Christy Roy, who was renting the residence and helped clean up the blood-soaked bedroom, received a nine-month jail sentence for obstruction of justice.

Both Max Moostoos and Brandon Daniels also assisted with the clean-up and received respective sentences of one year and a 12-month conditional sentence order.

The court heard that one of the challenges of the case was the lack of forensic evidence due to how thoroughly cleaned the bedroom was when police arrived.

Another man who is said to have played a significant role in the assault, Tyson Lafonde, was murdered in January 2020, in what’s believed to be a separate gang-related incident.

Statement from defence and the justice

Roughly three months after Chretien was reported missing, Sheldon Goodvoice was arrested on an unrelated matter and charged with several firearms-related offences. The following August, he received a four-year sentence and was residing at an Ontario institution when arrested on the Chretien matter.

Noting Goodvoice’s record, which also includes a conviction for aggravated assault, his lawyer Kathy Hodgson-Smith explained he has cut ties with his former gang members and is determined to complete his grade 12 education and make some positive moves in his life.

When Goodvoice was offered the opportunity in court to speak, he indicated he had nothing to say.

Before accepting the joint submission, Justice Danyluk acknowledged Brenda Chretien’s emotional letter. Danyluk explained judges must make unbiased decisions without fear or prejudice and in consideration for the law.

“It doesn’t mean we don’t feel,” he explained.

Danyluk then went on to cite his personal experience of having lost a daughter and said he can sympathize with what Chretien’s mother is going through.

“Her voice made a difference,” he said.

Then turning to Goodvoice, Danyluk reminded him that even at a young age, he already had some very serious charges on his record, as well as several convictions related to breaches of court orders.

“You have shown no respect for the law that everybody else in Canada lives by,” he said. “You have come to do what you want. No more.”

Danyluk then proceeded to remind Goodvoice he was very close to being flagged as a dangerous offender, adding if he did not change his ways, he could spend a very long time in jail.

“Maybe you spend the rest of your life in a 10 x 12 cell,” he said. “That’s the path you’re on.”

Goodvoice’s five-year sentence will start after his current four-year sentence ends in the latter part of next year. Following his release from custody he’ll also be prohibited from owning or possessing any firearms or explosives for 20 years.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

‘My heart has been destroyed’: Dylan Chretien murder case concludes with final sentencing

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