A Vancouver Island man charged in connection to a double homicide made his first court appearance on Tuesday.
Friends and family of Leanne Kelly, one of two people found dead inside a home in Courtenay last Wednesday, were also at the courthouse.
“Leanne enjoyed life so much and was looking forward to spending time with her kids and being a grandma,” said Barb Kelly, Leanne’s mother. “We don’t know what else to say right now.”
Comox Valley RCMP were called to a report of a shooting on the 2300-block of Urquhart Avenue at 3:10 a.m. on Oct 5.
They found a man and woman dead inside the home.
Police arrested two men at the scene, one of them was 42-year-old Michael Philip Simard.
Simard has been charged with two counts of murder.
Leanne’s parents say he was a former boyfriend of their daughter’s.
The second man was later released from custody. He has not been charged.
Leanne’s parents also mentioned the second victim, Gord Turner, at the courthouse.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to Gord’s family,” said Barb.
According to Barb, him and Leanne were good friends.
Leanne’s funeral service is scheduled for Saturday.
Simard is being held in a Victoria jail. He will make his next court appearance on Thursday.
