While search crews scoured the Sucker River area for a missing woman almost two years ago, her killer had already confessed to his crime.
Ricky Jonathan Ross, 29, had told his brother he “bashed that girl’s head in,” according to the facts read out by the Crown prosecutor in court at Ross’s sentencing on Wednesday.
Further details confirm that Ross did just that, wielding a tire iron in his van the night Roberts died.
She had been last seen at a house party on Nov. 2, 2013, and her body was found three weeks later in a wooded area outside the community.
Ross had been with his wife and others that night, but ended up alone with Roberts in his van.
They were both very drunk, and Ross committed heinous violence against her.
He had sex with her, and beat her in the head – to death. DNA evidence defends those facts, the Crown said.
The motive remains a mystery based on what was heard at Prince Albert’s Court of Queen’s Bench.
Ross’s lawyer Greg Chovin told the court that Ross “is absolutely at a loss to say” how what happened, happened. Ross declined when he was given the chance to speak to the judge and the victim’s family. Chovin said Ross is not comfortable speaking in front of others, but that he is sorry.
Ross has a lengthy criminal history that includes violence.
Roberts’ family appeared by video link for La Ronge’s court. Emotions were evident as family members sniffled and Roberts’ common-law partner had an outburst and left the room.
Roberts’ father shared some tough words after Ross entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder and received a life sentence, with no chance of parole for 10 years.
Robert’s father said he’s not truly surprised by her death. Because alcohol leads to terrible things. He expressed sadness not for himself, but for Roberts’ two children. Crying, Roberts’ father told the court what hurts him the most is that his grandchildren don’t have a mom.