Parole Board Denies Absences for Man Who Murdered 5-Year-Old Jessica Koopmans

The Parole Board of Canada has denied Anthony Gallup, who was convicted of the first-degree murder of 5-year-old Jessica Koopmans, his request for unescorted temporary absences from prison. This marks Gallup's initial bid for any form of release since his conviction.

Jessica Koopmans disappeared from her Lethbridge home on May 4, 2001, while going to play with a friend. Her body was discovered a week later, approximately 45 kilometers west of Lethbridge, hidden under brush in Fort Macleod. Harold Anthony Gallup, then 31, was arrested a week after the discovery.

During Gallup's murder trial, court proceedings revealed that he had experienced "nightmares" involving young girls and had expressed fears of harming someone. He had also sought counseling shortly before Jessica's disappearance. Gallup was a friend of Jessica's mother and frequently interacted with her daughters and dated her best friend.

Appearing before the parole board via video link from a minimum-security prison in British Columbia, Gallup stated that he had taken the girl to buy candy but became sexually aroused. He claimed he killed her in a panic, fearing exposure as a pedophile. However, the board was informed by Gallup's case management team that his request for prison absences was considered premature.