Keswick, Ont. man sentenced to life in prison for murder of 85-year-old woman

Brad Strickler was sentenced to life without parole for 25 years for the death of a Keswick, Ont. senior.

The Keswick, Ont. man convicted of first-degree murder by a jury in a Newmarket courtroom earlier this month has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole until 2047.

Brad Strickler, 24, sat in the prisoner’s box Thursday as he heard 10 victim impact statements from the loved ones of Sandy Gauthier, including her children and grandchildren.

The 85-year-old great grandmother was brutally sexually assaulted and murdered three years ago inside her Keswick home. Strickler then set her house on fire.

“She should still be here,” said a loved one who told the court Gauthier’s home was where the family gathered for holidays and special occasions.

The woman then held up a picture drawn by Gauthier’s great-grandson that depicted Gauthier up in the sky looking down on him on a swing.

The court heard after a night of heavy drinking with his family on January 15, 2022, Strickler went for a walk and entered Gauthier’s home. He admitted to killing Gauthier. The court heard Strickler sexually assaulted Gauthier in her bedroom and stabbed her several times before moving her body to the bathroom and setting the home ablaze.

After a manslaughter plea was rejected by the Crown, Strickler argued he was too drunk to have the mental state required for murder. The jury disagreed.

Loved ones described a loving and healthy 85-year-old woman who enjoyed cross stitching and baking. They said her butter tarts, shortbread cookies and pies were family favourites.

Her daughter-in-law referred to Gauthier as the “hub of the family.” Her granddaughter called Gauthier “a pillar of strength, love and wisdom” whose senseless murder followed by the burning of her home has left her family shattered. The family lost Gauthier, her home and everything in it, including family photos and keepsakes.

“Bradley didn’t just take a life, he stole pieces of who we are,” said her granddaughter.

“Mr. Strickler doesn’t realize the memories he stole from us,” added Gauthier’s daughter-in-law who told the court Strickler victimized a “vulnerable elderly woman.”

When offered a chance to address the court Strickler declined.

Justice Jill Cameron called the nature of his actions brazen and “heinous.” The judge added it was clear Gauthier “loved her family and was greatly loved by them” and had many years left to enjoy a quiet and peaceful life before it was “viciously and violently cut short.”

Justice Cameron told Strickler “the jury obviously didn’t believe you were so drunk that you did not know what you were doing that night,” and neither did she.

“The only reason you entered that home was to fulfill a selfish sexual desire,” said Justice Cameron.

Strickler, who was arrested in October 2022, will be 46-years-old before he can apply for parole. He is also not to communicate with the family of Sandy Gauthier as part of his sentence.