SOUTH SURREY, British Columbia – Lisa Batstone, the mother convicted of second-degree murder for smothering her eight-year-old daughter, Teagan Batstone, has died in prison at the Fraser Valley Institution. Batstone, originally from South Surrey, was serving an indeterminate sentence, which began on September 3, 2019, for the murder of her daughter. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison before parole eligibility. The Correctional Service of Canada confirmed her death on January 1, stating that her next of kin has been notified.
Batstone’s case drew attention when she claimed that she intended to die by suicide and killed Teagan to protect her from her ex-husband, Gabe Batstone, whom she alleged had inflicted mental and emotional abuse on them. The B.C. Supreme Court Justice Catherine Murray’s ruling from March 2019 revealed that Lisa Batstone had planned to kill herself after smothering her daughter but was caught when her car got stuck in a ditch and a first responder found her with her daughter’s body.
The appeal court also rejected Batstone’s sentence appeal in October 2021, affirming the original sentence as a suitable one. Correctional Service of Canada will review the circumstances of her death on January 1, and state that the police and the coroner will be notified. No further details about the death have been released.
This case highlights the tragic outcome of a mother’s mental health struggles and the devastating impact it had on her child. The details of the case are distressing, and they serve as a reminder of the importance of providing support and resources to individuals dealing with mental health issues, especially in the context of family dynamics. The tragic end to this story serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of access to mental health services and support for vulnerable individuals in our communities. The Correctional Service of Canada will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Lisa Batstone’s death.