A Nanaimo woman has been sentenced for the chilling murder and dismemberment of her ex-boyfriend, drawing public outrage and highlighting the grim realities of domestic violence. Paris Jayanne Laroche, 29, was found guilty of second-degree murder and interfering with human remains by British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Robin Baird. These convictions stem from the brutal killing of Sidney Joseph Mantee, 32, on March 5, 2020, within their shared apartment.
Sentencing began on January 31, 2025, and is expected to finalize on February 6, 2025, as the court considers the turmoil surrounding the nature of Laroche's actions. Crown prosecutor Nick Barber is pushing for 15 years of parole ineligibility, stressing the heinous nature of the crime, which he described as “graphic and egregious...an affront to the whole community.”
On the other hand, defense counsel Glen Orris argues for a more lenient approach, advocating for the minimum of 10 years due to Laroche’s lack of prior criminal history or violent behavior.
The morning of the murder, Laroche struck Mantee with a hammer multiple times as he slept on the living room floor. When this did not incapacitate him immediately, she went on to slit his throat. Justice Baird underscored the horrifying aftermath, noting Laroche “painstakingly and methodically eviscerated and dismembered his corpse” before storing the remains and disposing of them over six months across various sites around Nanaimo.
Surveillance footage showed the chilling moments leading up to Mantee's demise, as Laroche later confessed to the murder after being befriended by undercover police officers posing as family members who wanted revenge for abuse. She cited years of torment from Mantee, claiming, “It was my life or his.” Laroche revealed to investigators her breaking point was the alleged abuse of her pet cat by Mantee.
During the proceedings, the court also heard explicitly graphic details about the murder and aftermath, detailing how Mantee’s remains were kept for various durations without respect for the victim's dignity. Emma Mantee, the victim’s mother, expressed her unending grief and anger directly to Laroche, stating, “You are the evilest person I know....You threw him away like he was garbage. What you did to him was like skinning an animal.”
Psychiatric evaluations indicated Laroche did not suffer from any diagnosed mental illness but exhibited symptoms linked to battered spouse syndrome. This fact, combined with the testimonies about Mantee’s history of abuse, played heavily during the defense's presentation of the case. They argued she acted out of desperation and fear for her life.
Justice Robin Baird, who presided over the verdict, reiterated the complexity surrounding Laroche’s decision to engage with lethal actions, noting, “Despite Mantee's abuses, the act of murder was not premeditated, yet it cannot be viewed as self-defense.”
The case has been both harrowing and searing, raising echoes within the community and beyond about intimate partner violence and justice. With Laroche’s fate still under review, residents express their hope for proper justice, cautioning against the permanence of such personal tragedies.
Parole is viewed as only one aspect of the broader narrative encompassing abuse and violence within intimate relationships. Legal proceedings are often marred by lengthy processes and emotionally charged testimonies, emphasizing the need for support services for victims of domestic violence.
Laroche remains incarcerated until the final decision on her parole eligibility is rendered. The Nanaimo tragedy of Sydney Mantee serves as vivid and pressing reminder of the effects of abuse and the heartbreaking consequences of violence within relationships.