BANFF – A man sentenced to life in prison for stabbing and murdering Banff cabbie Lucie Turmel in 1990 has had his day parole extended by another six months.
On Oct. 4, the Parole Board of Canada said Ryan Jason Love, now 53, is considered a low to moderate risk of violent reoffending based on his most recent psychological risk assessment, extending his day parole for another six months based on how the last six months of day parole have gone.
“It is the board’s opinion that you will not, by re-offending, present an undue risk to society if you remain in the community on day parole and that your release will contribute to the protection of society by facilitating your reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen,” the board wrote.
“In making the decision to continue your day parole, the board remains highly concerned with the nature and severity of your index offence. In committing the murder, you demonstrated the capacity for unpredictable and extreme violence.”
Love was charged and ultimately convicted after robbing 23-year-old Turmel for her meagre earnings of $130, stabbing her 17 times and stealing her taxi in May 1990. The taxi was later located a few kilometres away from the crime scene.
At the time, Love worked as a housekeeper at the Banff Springs Hotel and was 18 years old. He had moved to Banff with friends after dropping out of high school.
The case went unsolved for more than two years until a tip to police led to a second-degree murder charge. In June 1994, Love was sentenced to life in prison and he was not eligible for parole for 20 years.
“In 1990, you tried to rob the victim, a female taxi driver, at knifepoint. She was able to get out of her taxi and run away, but you chased her down and stabbed her repeatedly. You left her to bleed to death and stole the vehicle and money,” states the board.
“After a high profile and intensive police investigation, you were arrested two years later. At the time, you reported feeling shame because you did not have money to attend a family event and tried to rob the victim, which escalated to extreme violence.”
Love was initially released on day patrol in 2011 and transitioned to full parole in 2012.
However, in May 2020, he got involved in a relationship with a new girlfriend and in early 2021, he was charged after smashing her car windows with a baseball bat after they broke up.
While his parole was initially suspended, Love returned to the community in March 2022 with a reprimand and additional special parole conditions.
Then, in August that year during a police traffic stop, Love was found in the company of a drunk woman, at night, in an area of town known for “crime, substance abuse, and the sex trade.”
Love’s release was then revoked and he remained in prison until he was granted day parole in April of this year.
Since his release on day parole, the board said Love has demonstrated “mixed behaviour.”
On the upside, there are “indications of progress”, the board said, noting he has interacted positively in supervision meetings with his case management team, maintained full-time employment, attended community programming and stayed sober.
He experienced grief due to an unexpected loss of a close family member, but the board said he is dealing with this in a “positive manner.”
“The board has compassion for your recent personal loss and finds your ability to manage your grief without any elevation in your risk to indicate that you are able to apply the skills and tools you have learned in programs,” said the board.
However, during the current period of day parole, the board said Love has struggled to be proactive and has required a high level of intervention and encouragement from his case management team.
“However there are no indications of violence or alcohol use,” the board wrote.
The board said it is concerned with Love’s lack of full compliance with the community residential facility’s rules and supervision expectations, noting he has vaped in his room, failed to report changing locations and argues about sign-out procedures.
He also believes he should have more autonomy because he has been on parole before, the board said.
“Given the seriousness of your index offence and the deteriorating behaviour that led to the previous revocation of your day parole, the board finds that this resistance to key aspects of your supervision requires immediate improvement,” the board wrote.
“Compliance in these areas is critical to your community supervision. At this juncture, the board balances these concerns with your high level of engagement in mental health and risk-related interventions and your otherwise cooperative attitude with your case management team.”
The conditions of Love’s day parole remain the same.
He must immediately report all relationships with females, sexual or not, and any changes to the status of the relationships or friendships to his parole supervisor; he is banned from alcohol and illicit drugs, and is not allowed to associate or communicate with anyone involved in criminal activity or substance misuse.
In addition, Love must continue to do one-to-one counselling with a mental health professional to address emotions management, problem solving skills and relationship issues.
Lastly, he is forbidden from having direct contact with his former girlfriend or Turmel’s family.
The board said Love’s case management team has encouraged him to save money and develop a budget to prepare for independent living.
“Reports indicate that this is a key area of focus given your motivation to be supported for full parole,” the board wrote.