Retired Nova Scotia investigator speaks out after Penny Boudreau’s day parole extension

Penny Boudreau, the Nova Scotia woman convicted of second-degree murder in the death of her 12-year-old daughter, Karissa, has had her day parole extended by six months. This decision has drawn criticism from the retired investigator who worked on the original case.

“

Karissa’s not a statistic. She was a person. She was a little girl.

John Elliott, a former sergeant with the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crimes unit, voiced his disappointment with the parole extension. "Penny should have spent – should be spending – more time in jail for taking that life. It was second-degree murder, but it was, it was in my mind, first-degree murder," Elliott stated. He emphasized that Karissa was a victim, not just a statistic, and recalled securing Boudreau's confession to strangling her daughter and disposing of the body.

“

Not knowing where your kids are is horrible. Karissa, we love you.

Boudreau reported Karissa missing in January 2008, initially telling police they had argued. She later appealed for public information in a news conference. Karissa's body was found on Feb. 9, 2008, along an embankment in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Boudreau was charged with first-degree murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder. Court documents revealed her former boyfriend had given her an ultimatum: either he or her daughter would have to go, and Karissa had a strained relationship with her stepfather.

“

Penny should have spent, should be spending, more time in jail for taking that life. It was second-degree murder, but it was, it was in my mind, first-degree murder.

Sentenced to life in prison in January 2009, Boudreau began receiving escorted church passes in 2018. She received an unescorted pass in June 2025, followed by day parole in December 2025, which has now been extended. Elliott has attended several parole hearings, noting a perceived lack of remorse and minimal focus on the victim or her family during Boudreau's applications. The Parole Board of Canada acknowledged the violent nature of Boudreau's crimes and their irreversible harm.

“

I didn’t hear a whole lot of remorse, to be quite honest with you. There was very little emphasis on the victim or the victim’s family, Karissa’s family, Karissa herself. There was very little emphasis on that. It was all about Penny and the steps she has made towards her application to get that day parole.