Sharla Marie Collier, 20, had everything to live for. She became
engaged a month ago, was saving to buy a house and was employed in her
dream job -- helping troubled youth. "She liked the whole job, being there and helping out," said her
father, Greg Collier. "She loved her job."
Sharla started her career as a youth-care worker after graduating
from the rehabilitation services program at Lethbridge Community College
in April. Her job was to socially rehabilitate youngsters in residential care.
This included taking them on recreational outings, such as shopping,
playing mini-golf or going to the movies.
Saturday was her third visit with the youth now accused of her
murder. They went for an afternoon walk along the west bank of the
Oldman River, following a popular path near the University of Lethbridge.
But something went horribly wrong.
She died on a rutted path surrounded by knee-high grass, near a
thicket of cottonwood trees. At about 2:40 p.m. Saturday, the youth approached a passerby on the
paved pathway nearby and asked the person to call the Lethbridge police.
The teen, who suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome, was taken into
custody and charged with first-degree murder. Police were not releasing information Sunday about witness statements
or evidence collected at the scene.
Much of Bull Trail Park South remained closed Sunday as investigators
looked for clues over a large area. Evidence markers indicated the crime
scene was concentrated along a 30-metre section of path. "It's a tragedy, plain and simple," said Lethbridge police Sgt. Jamie
Fisher. "It affects everybody. It affects the family members, it affects
the community."
The teenager had been in the government's care for several years,
said James Frey, regional spokesman for Alberta Children's Services. He explained that the boy, who was not from the area, had been
staying at a residential facility in Lethbridge for children apprehended
or voluntarily surrendered by their parents. Many of the youngsters
suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome or other developmental problems, but
are not considered violent.
"There's no reason to fear these kids," Frey said.
Sharla Collier was raised and educated in Raymond, a farming
community about 25 kilometres southeast of Lethbridge. She paid her own way through college through part-time jobs, even
covering the cost of braces and a car. "She was a very independent girl," her mother said.
She had known her fiance for several years before they started dating
four years ago. Krisjan Isleifson, 25, also grew up in Raymond and
pursued the same profession. "They rented in Lethbridge for a while until they decided they wanted
to get a place," her father said. "So we decided we'd let them move in
here so they could save up some money." The couple moved in with Sharla's parents and 13-year-old sister
Amanda in August.
On Friday, the family went for a night out, enjoying bowling and
dinner.
On Saturday, Sharla had been expected home from work no later than
5:30 p.m. The family's concern turned to fear when the police showed up
at 8 p.m. "Kris was outside talking to them," said Sharla's father. "We didn't
have a clue what was going on. "As soon as I'd seen his face, I thought, 'My God, something has
happened to Sharla.' "
The shattered family was trying to cope with the news on Sunday as
friends and family gathered at the modest home to offer support. "She felt good about all her clients," her father said, tears
streaming down his face. "She had nothing bad to say about any of them.
She loved them."
Karen had been concerned about her daughter's safety: "I asked her,
'Is it safe for you?' " Sharla always reassured her mother, noting she
had taken a self-defence course.
Children's Services says the situation was not deemed risky. "Our people are safe," Frey said. He explained that the residents wouldn't be there if they were
thought to be dangerous. "We try to give them as normal a life as possible," Frey said. "We
try to get these kids out as much as we can, doing what a normal child
would be doing."
The agency brought in additional staff on the weekend. Traumatized
workers will receive counselling today. After the debriefing, a review
of the circumstances surrounding the incident will take place. Frey said that for privacy and legal reasons, he couldn't reveal too
much about the teen. "I can't go into details, but (this situation) does identify a real
need in the community for mental-health care for youth," he said. "We do
need a much greater emphasis on mental health care."
The teen, who cannot be named under the Young Offenders Act, will
remain in custody and is scheduled to appear in a Lethbridge courtroom
at 9:30 a.m. today. The Crown prosecutor could apply to have the case transferred from
youth court to adult court. If convicted of first-degree murder in adult court, the teen will be
sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 25
years.
In youth court, the maximum sentence is six years incarceration
followed by four years of community supervision. It's unusual for a murder case involving someone under 16 to be
raised to adult court.
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