Harley Dakota Bear has been in custody since last August and was escorted to court by a deputy sherriff. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Murder cases

Accessory in Chaboyer murder case receives three-year sentence

Sep 5, 2024 | 3:48 PM

Through tears Debbie Chaboyer recounted how she will never again get the chance to tell her son she loves him.

The grieving mother made the comment Thursday at Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert. Her emotional victim impact statement was part of Harley Dakota Bear’s sentence hearing.

The man who helped transport Tristan Chaboyer’s lifeless body from a house in Prince Albert’s west flat area, to a wooded area on the outskirts of the city, received a three-year prison sentence. However with remand credit, he has roughly a year and five months left to serve.

A guilty plea to a charge of accessory after the fact was entered in June.

Tristan Chaboyer became a father when he was 19 and worked two jobs. (Prince Albert Police Service)

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Tristan Chaboyer was last seen on Sept. 4, 2020 and was reported missing about a week later. Roughly two months later, his remains were found.

According to the agreed statement of facts, read by Crown prosecutor Keith Amyotte, between Sept. 4, 2020 and Sept. 9, 2020, Bear was one of three men seen entering a house in the 900 block of 17th St. W.

Within the basement of the house was Chaboyer, who was already deceased and wrapped in a sort of rug or blanket. Only his feet and a section of his face were visible.

The three men then loaded the body into a red truck and drove to a wooded area roughly 22 km east of the city. That’s where the body was dropped and one of the other men with Bear then proceeded to set the remains on fire.

“[Bear] was not present when the victim was murdered and had no knowledge of the murder until after the victim was already deceased,” Amyotte read.

Noting his client’s tragic upbringing, which included the loss of both his parents, and witnessing his uncle’s murder, defence lawyer Chris Gratton stated Bear was deeply remorseful for his actions and cooperated with police. Gratton also noted the multiple members of Bear’s family who were also present in court and stated they were a great support system.

When given the opportunity in court to speak, Bear simply said “I’m sorry for getting involved.”

And when further pressed by Justice Meschishnick if he had anything else to say, Bear shook his head and said no.

Tristan’s aunt noted he had straight A’s in high school and had the potential to be a successful person.(submitted photo/Debbie Chaboyer)

Victim impact statements

Also within the courtroom were members from the victim’s family, who all wore buttons baring his face.

Noting how her son took a turn after completing Grade 11 at Carlton Comprehensive High School, Debbie Chaboyer said her son’s death left a void in her heart.

“I’ll never be able to see my son. I will never be able to talk to him because his life was cut short,” she said through tears. “I’ll never get that phone call and hear him say ‘I love you.'”

As Debbie spoke, Bear hung his head and at one point appeared to cover his face to wipe away tears. Debbie looked him straight in the eye when she said she has to forgive him.

“So I can set myself free from this and that’s what I will do for my son,” she said.

Noting the search for Tristen occurred during the COVID restrictions, his aunt recounted how they were not allowed a search party and how four family members went out every day. This included Tristan’s 93-year-old grandmother.

Also charged in the case are Kyle Charles and Allan Genereux, who like Bear, were also accused of being an accessory after the fact to murder. Genereux was also additionally accused of committing an indignity to human remains. Both men have pending court dates.

The murder investigation remains ongoing.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell