Penticton, British Columbia – It has been nine years since the tragic death of 26-year-old Roxanne Louie in Penticton, B.C. An emotional march was organized in her memory, coinciding with a recent controversial decision by the parole board to release her convicted killer.
The march, organized by Marty Marchand, aimed to honor Louie’s memory and continue advocating for justice on her behalf. The event drew a crowd of supporters, including local chiefs, drummers, and singers, who marched to the Penticton Courthouse in unity.
Louie was visiting Penticton from Vancouver when a disagreement over the care of her three-year-old son led to a fatal altercation. The convicted killer, Grace Elinor Robotti, was found guilty of second-degree murder and indignity to human remains for brutally assaulting Louie with a crowbar and disposing of her body with the help of her brother.
Despite being sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for ten years, Robotti was granted day parole last month and is allowed escorted leave to volunteer at a non-profit thrift store. This decision has sparked outrage and disbelief among the community, with many expressing concerns about the flaws in the justice system.
Marchand hopes that the march will shine a light on the failures of the justice system and bring about change. The family and community continue to seek justice for Louie, hoping to prevent similar injustices from occurring in the future.
The parole board’s decision has reignited the call for a fairer and more empathetic legal system, as the memory of Roxanne Louie lives on in the hearts of those who miss her deeply.