Makayla Chang's parents, Kerry Chang and Janine Vautour, embrace each other minutes of their daughter's killer was issued a life imprisonment on Friday, April 14 at BC Supreme Court in Nanaimo. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

justice served

‘It’s a big relief for all of us:’ loved ones reflect on long-awaited finality of Makayla Chang case

Apr 15, 2023 | 5:48 AM

NANAIMO — Following years of pain and frustration, Makayla Chang’s parents believe the next chapter in their lives can now be written.

Minutes after the man who murdered their 16-year-old daughter six years ago in Nanaimo was issued an automatic life imprisonment during a Friday, April 14 sentencing hearing, Kerry Chang said they can start to rebuild their lives.

He was pleased to hear Bacon’s apologetic, unscripted address to the court.

“He took ownership, which was amazing. As little as I think of him, I give him that, he was man enough to take ownership for his part and actually accept the terms that were set out.”

Kerry was pleased with how the emotionally-draining sentencing hearing went, saying he appreciated the opportunity to convey how their lives have spiraled because Bacon’s actions.

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Tears flowed from Kerry’s eyes as he hugged visibly emotional Nanaimo RCMP investigators who worked the grueling, labour intensive case.

“It’s a big relief for all of us, including them. Without those guys we wouldn’t have got the justice we got today. He might still be out there harming other children, and they put in tireless, tireless hours.”

His wife Janine Vautour expected Bacon to maintain his silence.

She was pleased to hear him speak.

“You could see in his eyes, I think he really truly is sorry. I think he’s had a lot of time to really reflect on what he’s done.”

Vautour thanked Nanaimo RCMP for their hard work, Justice Robin Baird for the compassion he showed and the people of Nanaimo.

“I love Nanaimo, I never thought I’d say that after my daughter was murdered here. I love the people of Nanaimo, they’re great people, they care and that helped.”

Vautour is relieved and grateful the justice system came through.

“Now my family can start mending.”

Bacon looked down for most of the hearing, avoiding eye contact with Chang’s family members positioned slightly to his left about 20 feet away.

A stark reversal was evident when the offender rose from the prisoner’s box, as his eyes welled up during a brief one minute and 40 second-long address.

Bacon, 58, said he is solely responsible for all of the decisions he’s made in his life.

He said he deserves to be where he is and where he’s going.

“I made choices that were horrible and I affected a lot of people and none of them deserved what happened, none of them deserved any of this. And no amount of time will make up for the loss of Makayla.”

On top of his life in jail sentence, parole eligibility was set at 20 years for Bacon, which was the result of a joint sentence recommendation accepted by BC Supreme Court Justice Robin Baird.

Bacon pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge of second degree murder after originally pleading not guilty to first degree murder.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes