Overview
- Febrio De Zoysa pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder in an Ottawa court.
- Justice Kevin Phillips imposed a life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years, with sentences concurrent in line with a 2022 Supreme Court ruling.
- An agreed statement of facts said De Zoysa first killed family friend Gamini Amarakoon in the basement, then murdered Darshani Ekanayake and her four children before attacking the father, who survived.
- Court evidence included De Zoysa’s admissions that he planned the killings days earlier and records showing he had ordered a 38-centimetre hunting knife online.
- Victim-impact statements were delivered in a packed courtroom, and the surviving father’s relatives have since asked federal authorities for immigration help to remain and work in Canada.