Duane Squires recalls a moment from the previous year when his oldest child misplaced a Jibbitz shoe charm from his Crocs. Squires and his spouse accompanied their son to the location where he believed the charm had fallen off. In a statement presented to the Court of King’s Bench, Squires, a detective constable with the Saint John Police Force, recounted the emotional search for the small plastic piece, which held sentimental value as a connection to a deceased friend.
The friend, a 10-year-old basketball teammate, along with his 17-year-old brother, was tragically murdered by their father, Roman Kamyshnyy. Following the incident, the basketball team paid tribute to the youngest victim by creating Jibbitz and stickers for their water bottles bearing his jersey number.
Kamyshnyy was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of the boys, identified as A.B. and C.D. due to a publication ban. During the trial, evidence revealed that Kamyshnyy committed the heinous act to seek revenge on his ex-wife following their recent divorce.
Despite Kamyshnyy’s claim of memory loss regarding the events, Justice Darrell Stephenson sentenced him to two concurrent life sentences without parole for 25 years. Numerous individuals, including Squires, submitted impactful statements highlighting the profound impact of the murders on themselves, their families, and the community.
The victims’ mother, Sara, expressed the heart-wrenching task of explaining the tragedy to their son, emphasizing the loss of innocence and the lasting effect it had on their family. The Saint John High School community also grappled with the emotional aftermath of the loss, especially concerning the teenage victim, C.D., who was a cherished student among peers and staff.
The murders deeply affected first responders and justice officials, leaving a lasting impact on the city of Saint John. The tragic events shattered the community’s sense of security and brought to light the importance of supporting families in distress and welcoming newcomers. The responsibility now lies in honoring the victims’ memory by reinforcing commitments to protect children, offer support to those in need, and ensure that no one faces fear or suffering alone.
