A 27-year-old woman from Toronto has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 18 years after admitting to the second-degree murder of her two young sons. Vanessa Collias pleaded guilty to the charges in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto. The tragic incident took place in her Scarborough apartment on Glamorgan Avenue in December 2023, where her four-year-old and five-year-old sons were killed.
Collias, who was grieving the recent loss of her husband to leukemia, expressed feelings of being “broken” and “absolutely alone.” She believed that reuniting her family in heaven was the only solution after her husband’s sudden passing. Following the murders, Collias attempted suicide and suffered severe injuries, leaving her paralyzed.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the police found the lifeless bodies of the two boys lying next to each other in the apartment after responding to a call for assistance. Collias, who had also left notes for the authorities and her family, expressed deep remorse and regret in her letter to the police.
According to a psychiatric report presented during sentencing, Collias was overwhelmed by the loss of her husband, although she did not suffer from a major mental disorder that would absolve her of criminal responsibility. The court accepted the joint recommendation from the Crown and defense for an 18-year prison term before parole eligibility.
If you or someone you know is struggling, there are resources available for help, including the Suicide Crisis Helpline and Kids Help Phone. It is crucial to reach out and seek support for those in need.