Lisa Batstone, a woman serving an indeterminate prison sentence for the killing of her eight-year-old daughter, has died in custody, according to the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC).
The cause of death, which occurred Jan. 1 at Fraser Valley Institution in British Columbia, has not been announced.
This is a multi-story facility for women that has a residential unit with minimum security.
Lisa Batstone's lawyers say her death came as a complete surprise to those close to her.
Everyone who helped Lisa cope with this tragic chapter in her life is affected by this sudden loss and calls for public answers about the circumstances of her death, a statement said.
Warning: The remainder of this article contains details and information that some readers may find shocking.
Jailed for second degree murder
Little Teagan's body was found in the back trunk of the family car in 2014. Lisa Batstone held a plastic bag over the child's nose and mouth for four to five minutes. She then attempted suicide, but failed.
The mother was convicted of second-degree murder in her daughter's suffocation death in 2019.
In 2022, Lisa Batstone's appeal was rejected. In its decision, the appeal court noted that the woman had never accepted separation from Teagan's father, adding that she had planned to kill herself but did not want to leave her daughter with him.
Gabe Batstone, the victim's father, emphasizes that the death of his ex-partner does not erase the pain and loss of Teagan, whose absence is felt every day.
However, the burden will be eased, he adds […] We are no longer faced with the prospect of possible release, an event that would have posed an undeniable risk to other innocent children.
Our main goal is to honor Teagan's memory and preserve the happiness she brought into our lives.
The Correctional Service of Canada will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, as it always does when a death occurs while in custody.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call 988, a crisis hotline available 24/7 by phone and text.
With information from Liam Britten and The Canadian Press