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Taya Sinclair had two children and is remembered for her beautiful smile. (Submitted)
Court proceedings

Woman involved in death of Saskatoon mother, handed 18 year prison sentence

Nov 21, 2024 | 12:07 PM

Over two-and-a-half years have passed since Taya Sinclair’s burned remains were found in a snow dump on the southwest side of Prince Albert, and earlier this week one of the three people charged received an 18 year prison sentence for manslaughter.

Stephanie Halkett-Stevenson appeared Monday at provincial court in Saskatoon. Guilty pleas were also entered to aggravated assault and confinement, for which she received a four-year sentence. This will run concurrently with the more sentence conviction.

She’s also prohibited for life from owning or possessing any firearms or explosives.

Since the two co-accused, Chelsey Crowe and Michael Smillie, still have pending court dates and could be tried by a jury, a publication ban was placed on the details leading up to what happened on March 15, 2022.

A day after she was reported missing, Taya Sinclair’s remains were found in an area south of the Alfred Jenkins Field House.

Relatives have previously described the 24-year-old as a dearly loved family member and friend.

Sinclair was a mother, daughter, granddaughter and niece who had a warm spirit and heart, her aunt, Donna Aubichon, said during a news conference.

“Life may take us down different paths, but our family would like to remind everybody that Taya mattered. Taya was tragically taken from us in a way no human should ever be treated,” Aubichon said.

paNOW reached out to Sinclair’s mother for comment on the sentencing and she expressed her desire to wait until after the case’s conclusion.

Taya’s birthday is coming up Dec. 23.

Preliminary inquiry hearing dates were previously set for Michael Smillie and Chelsey Crowe and will take place on Dec. 2 and Dec. 16.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

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