Surrey child-killer granted unescorted absence

Surrey child-killer granted unescorted absence

Published 5:00 pm Thursday, September 24, 2026

A man serving life in prison for abducting, sexually assaulting and killing a Surrey 10-year-old 26 years ago has been granted a 60-day unescorted temporary absence (UTA) from prison, to participate in a cooking program at a community residential facility.

According to a Sept. 2 Parole Board of Canada decision, Shane Robert Ertmoed – convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the Oct. 1, 2000 death of Heather Thomas – applied for the UTA “for personal development for rehabilitative purposes.”

Following a hearing, the board concluded he “will not pose an undue risk” of reoffending; a conclusion the case management team did not agree with.

“Their view is that your risk cannot be managed safely on the proposed UTA,” the 11-page decision notes.

The team pointed out that employment issues “were not a contributing factor in your offending and cooking skills do not align with your long-term goal to work as a plumber.”

The application was granted with multiple special conditions “considered reasonable and necessary to protect society and the victims” imposed, including that Ertmoed:

• have no direct or indirect contact with the victim’s friends and family members;

• not visit more than 30 B.C. municipalities, including across Greater Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, the Sunshine Coast, and the Okanagan, as well as the provinces of Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario;

• not purchase, acquire, possess or access pornography or sexually explicit material;

• not be in the presence of females younger than 18 unless accompanied by a previously approved responsible adult who is aware of his criminal history;

• immediately report all relationships and friendships with females to his parole supervisor; and,

• not own, use or possess any device capable of accessing the Internet without prior written approval.

Heather – remembered in Facebook comments as “a beautiful kind soul” – was playing outside of her father’s townhouse complex in Cloverdale when Ertmoed convinced her to go inside his apartment.

Her body was found three weeks later in Alouette Lake.

Upon arrest, Ertmoed confessed and provided a detailed description of the girl’s murder. He recanted, then later appealed his 2002 conviction and sentence. He abandoned his sentence appeal in 2002, and his conviction appeal was dismissed in 2006.

Ertmoed applied for escorted temporary absences in 2021 – and completed many “without concern,” the decision notes – and in January 2025, was denied day parole. Following that hearing, Heather’s mom Jody Aspin said she finally learned why Ertmoed chose to abduct and kill her young daughter: “because that was his type.”

“She reminded him of someone from his early years that he was attracted to and wanted to have a relationship with,” Aspin said, recalling information Parole Board of Canada officials gleaned from Ertmoed during the hearing.

“It answers a question I’ve wanted to know since Day 1.”

Ertmoed also finally admitted aloud that he’d killed Heather, Aspin added.

At the latest hearing, Heather’s mother and a childhood friend stated that they did not support Ertmoed having the UTA opportunity, expressing their belief that he “should remain in prison until you die,” the decision notes.

In applying for the UTA, Ertmoed submitted a release plan, a self-management plan and a list of secondary destinations he hoped to access, along with a list of “constructive activities” he’d use to fill his spare time.

He also provided a letter from his clinical counsellor that noted he has “meaningfully engaged” in his work with her; shown improvement in his communication skills, insight and personal accountability; and is “committed to personal growth and positive change.”

Ertmoed’s most recent psychological risk assessment, completed in June 2024, indicated his risk for future sexual reoffending was “average” relative to other sexual offenders, with risk issues including “a deviant pattern of arousal to young females, using masturbation to inappropriate themes to cope with stress and loneliness, emotional identification with children, social isolation, poor coping, high levels of stress, and difficulties managing strong emotions.”

It also noted that if he were to sexually reoffend, the victim “would be a pre-pubescent or pubescent female.”

“Serious harm could result if a victim were non-compliant,” the decision cites from the report.

A psychiatric assessment completed in September 2025 suggested arousal-reducing medication to reduce his risk for sexual reoffending. He began taking the medication in November of last year and now reports it has helped “replace unhealthy sexual thoughts with healthy ones.”

“You told the Board that you are now prepared to do whatever you need to do to address this primary risk issue,” the decision states.

The board noted Ertmoed was “much more open” about his risk-related issues and discussing how to better-manage his troublesome thoughts. He told the board he last applied management strategies the night before the hearing, after becoming “uncomfortable with (his) thoughts” when a 14-year-old female contortionist was featured” on a television show.

Ertmoed was eligible to apply for full parole in November 2025. His UTA privileges do not extend to overnight absences; he must return to the community residential facility nightly, and is to be supervised “24/7.”

Information at canada.ca promises he will remain under a watchful eye indefinitely.

“Lifers will never again enjoy total freedom,” it states, explaining that those who are granted parole remain under conditions and supervision for life.