The mother of two boys from Saint John, tragically stabbed to death by their father last year, expressed that no punishment could fill the void left by her beloved sons. In a statement following the sentencing in the New Brunswick Court of King’s Bench, Roman Kamyshnyy’s former wife conveyed that the loss of her children and the enduring sorrow she carries cannot be eased by any courtroom outcome.
Kamyshnyy, aged 46, received a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years for the first-degree murders of his 10-year-old and 17-year-old sons, as determined by a jury verdict in June. Justice Darrell Stephenson highlighted that the sentencing was mandated by the Criminal Code and must be served concurrently for each charge.
Describing Kamyshnyy’s actions as a heinous act of vengeance, Justice Stephenson emphasized the impact on the victims’ family, particularly Witness A, the ex-wife of Kamyshnyy. The court heard that Kamyshnyy meticulously planned and executed the murders to inflict maximum pain on his ex-wife following their recent divorce.
During the trial, evidence revealed that Kamyshnyy brutally stabbed his sons in their apartment, with one son putting up a violent struggle before succumbing to the attack. Crown prosecutor Elaina Campbell denounced the betrayal of trust by Kamyshnyy, who failed to protect his own children.
Witness A’s mother, in a victim impact statement, lamented the profound trauma inflicted on their family and friends, emphasizing that the memories of joy and love shared with the boys will endure. Witness A’s brother described how the murders have irreversibly altered his life, splitting it into a stark “before” and “after.”
As the community grapples with the aftermath of these tragic events, the mother of the boys expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and kindness received. She vowed to keep the memory of her sons alive, honoring their vibrant lives while navigating a path forward with them always in her heart.