Burlington man gets life in jail for shooting and killing wife — a Halton EMS dispatcher

A Burlington man who fatally shot his wife in the backyard of their rural home has been sentenced to life in prison.

Kenneth Soederhuysen, 58, appeared in a Brampton court on Friday, Oct. 30 and pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Laura Grant, who was a dispatcher at Mississauga Central Ambulance Communication Centre at Britannia and Kennedy roads, which provides EMS dispatch to Peel and Halton.

He will not be eligible for parole until he has served 14 years of his sentence, ruled Justice Clayton Conlan at the conclusion of the hearing.

The homicide took place the couple's home at 2244 No. 2 Sideroad in rural Burlington on the afternoon of Aug. 21, 2019.

According to the agreed statement of facts, which was read by Assistant Crown Attorney Kelli Frew, Grant and Soederhuysen had a volatile relationship, which was made worse by the abuse of alcohol by both individuals.

The couple argued frequently about their finances, children from their previous marriages, drinking and infidelity, the court heard.

The two were known to record each other on their cellular phones during such arguments," said Frew.

Both complained that the other was belligerent, demeaning and at times physical."

Soederhuysen told police that on Aug. 21 Grant had been drinking and verbally abusing him.

He also said she had been throwing things around, had broken a large television in the living room and poured a half bottle of rye on the floor inside the house.

She then went out to the backyard patio.

Soederhuysen said that afternoon he went to the safe in his home office, got a shotgun, loaded it and went outside to confront Grant.

He fired one shot in the air to get her attention" and then shot Grant while she was sitting in a chair.

This bullet went through her left hand and into her right shoulder and did so much damage that it nearly severed her arm," said Frew.

She got up, turned to get away and he shot her a second time in the back."

Soederhuysen told police he then went inside the house and contemplated suicide, but ultimately called 911.

A recording of this call, which was made at around 3 p.m., was played in court.

In that call Soederhuysen calmly provides his address to the dispatcher and confesses to killing his wife.

I'm sorry for this call today and putting you through this," he says.

The dispatcher asks if Soederhuysen is okay to which he says he is not.

He hangs up the phone when asked what his name is.

Frew said when Halton police arrived at the property, they found Soederhuysen at the foot of the driveway.

He told police where they could find Grant and noted they would find the shotgun unloaded on his desk in the house.

Grant was found with no vital signs and was soon pronounced dead.

Soederhuysen didn't provide police with a specific reason for the shooting stating, there was no button that was pushed to cause this."

He told police he had made a bad decision and that he did have other options.

Soederhuysen was initially charged with first degree murder.

During the court hearing Frew argued Soederhuysen should serve 16-17 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

She noted that this was a domestic homicide and that the victim was intoxicated and defenseless.

Frew argued there had been some level of planning in that surveillance cameras on the property had been shut off prior to the murder.

Soederhuysen had also been attempting to rekindle a past relationship telling this other woman via text that he wanted to be with her, said Frew.

This woman, however, rejected Soederhuysen shortly before the murder.

On the morning of Aug. 21, he had texted this woman that he was on a path to finding himself and she should do the same.

Defense Attorney Lindsay Daviau said a parole ineligibility period of 12-13 years was more appropriate citing Soederhuysen's guilty plea, his lack of prior criminal record and his remorse.

The court also heard victim impact statements from several members of Grant's family, including her daughter Savannah Bishchoff.

I remember first being so consumed with emptiness after the news broke of my mother's murder. I remember feeling so much that I almost didn't feel anything at all," she said.

Like a big piece of myself just went missing."

Other family members said they were saddened by the knowledge that Grant's young granddaughter would grow up never knowing her.

When presented with the opportunity Soederhuysen addressed the court.

I wish there was a way to undo what I have done. I am so very sorry," he said.

Laura deserved to live her life any way she wanted. I alone am responsible for Laura's death. I alone am accountable for my heinous act. I alone take responsibility."