“Dad tried to kill me”: it was through this text message sent by her 13-year-old son that Vanessa Burns learned of the attacks
Vanessa Burns was in a relationship with Myles Sanderson since 2008. Together they had five children.
- Vincent H. Turgeon (View profile)Vincent H. Turgeon
Speech synthesis, based on artificial intelligence, makes it possible to generate spoken text from written text.
Vanessa Burns, the ex-partner of Myles Sanderson, the man responsible for the attacks that occurred on September 4, 2022 in Saskatchewan, offered very moving testimony as part of the coroner's inquest into the killing.< /p>
On September 4, 2022, Myles Sanderson stabbed 11 people, including his brother, Damien Sanderson, and injured 17 others in the James Smith Cree Nation and in the neighboring village of Weldon, Saskatchewan. This is the worst stabbing attack in Canadian history.
A three-day manhunt ensued until law enforcement spotted the car in which Myles Sanderson was traveling near the village of Rosthern on September 7, 66 km northeast of Saskatoon.
Shortly after his arrest, the fugitive found himself in respiratory distress. Paramedics were called to the scene to take him to a Saskatoon hospital, where he was eventually pronounced dead.
On several occasions, Vanessa Burns interrupted herself due to emotion while speaking about her abusive relationship.
At first, he was charming, funny. He seemed normal, she said.
Unfortunately, two months into their relationship in 2008, things took a turn for the worse.
Knife attacks in Saskatchewan
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Knife attacks in Saskatchewan
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Vanessa Burns explains that on several occasions, Myles cheated on her, hit her, emotionally abused her. His temper landed Myles behind bars a few times. Despite everything, Vanessa continued to defend him out of compassion.
I know how his absence affects our children. […] He is a good father and helps around the house. We miss him, she even wrote in a letter addressed to the Parole Board.
All throughout this abusive relationship, Damien Sanderson, Myles' brother, often came to Vanessa's aid.
Damien was the only one who could help me against Myles' attacks.
Vanessa Burns admits today that she was then afraid of her partner.
Dad tried to kill me: it was through this text message sent on September 4, 2022 by his 13-year-old son that Vanessa learned of the tragic events that had occurred in the James Smith Cree Nation.
My son told me that Myles was came to my parents [where the child lived], says Vanessa. He didn't see anything, but he heard sounds of fighting. […] He told me that Myles had stabbed my mother and father. He didn't know where his grandfather was.
A few hours later, Vanessa Burns learned that her father was dead.
It became much more real when the emergency alerts started ringing on my cell.
A quote from Vanessa Burns, ex-partner of Myles Sanderson
I was scared, she remembers, believing that Myles was going to come and kill her. Where am I supposed to go? I can't go anywhere. I can't go home.
This fear only stopped when Vanessa learned of the death of her partner.
The first words my daughter said to me when we found out Myles was dead were: "At least you won't get beaten up again.”
A quote from Vanessa Burns, ex-spouse of Myles Sanderson
In ending her testimony, Vanessa Burns wanted to highlight that she would like to see a better parole system for people convicted of domestic violence. She emphasizes that longer sentences, to the extent that the absence of the violent partner also helps the family, could be beneficial.
As for my community, I would like it to pay more attention to its members and what is happening there, she said in a message that seemed s' ;address the members of the James Smith Cree Nation present in the audience. Pay attention to your community!
During her relationship with Myles, Vanessa explains that she went several times to a shelter for women and children. However, each time, she chose to leave because these shelters were crowded.
I returned with Myles because that I had nowhere to go, she explains. We need bigger shelters for families like mine.
During his cross-examination, Darryl Burns, whose sister Gloria Burns died during the attacks, wanted to speak to Vanessa.
J I lost a sister that day. I lost a friend, your father. I lost a lot of family members, he said, his voice trembling. I want to tell you that I'm not mad at you. I love you and I love your family.
The coroner's inquest, which has begun on January 15, aims to shed light on the victims' deaths, including how, when and where it happened. It also aims to make recommendations to prevent such a tragedy from repeating itself.
A second inquest into the death of Myles Sanderson is scheduled for February.
- Vincent H. Turgeon (View profile)Vincent H. TurgeonFollow