Luke Anthony Sean Priddle will be eligible for parole in 2035, as part of his life sentence for the extremely violent killing of a man in Tofino in 2020. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

life sentence

Parole set for Nanaimo man convicted of violent Tofino murder

Sep 22, 2025 | 10:35 AM

NANAIMO — Parole eligibility has been set at 10 years for the man convicted of second-degree murder for a highly violent slaying on Vancouver Island’s west coast late in 2020.

The ruling by BC Supreme Court justice Catherine Wedge in Nanaimo on Monday, Sept. 22 for Luke Anthony Sean Priddle, 27, is included in an automatic life in prison punishment.

It was up to the veteran judge to decide parole eligibility of between 10 and 25 years, which represents the earliest possible end to his sentence.

Priddle was convicted by a supreme court jury in Port Alberni in April after the trial heard 47-year-old Mathew Phillips of Tofino was stabbed over 70 times by Priddle during a dispute over money after the pair linked online hours earlier for an intimate encounter.

Mathew Phillips was brutally stabbed to death at his Tofino apartment unit on Dec. 27. 2020 (Facebook)

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The brutal stabbing took place at Philips’ Chesterman Beach apartment unit on Dec. 27, 2020, resulting in a murder charge laid against Priddle nearly two years later.

Facts of the case outlined at trial, and reiterated during a parole eligibility hearing last month, involved an early morning confrontation after Phillips took exception for Priddle not supplying $300 owed for cocaine during the fateful evening.

Crown Counsel requested 15-years before Priddle should be allowed to apply to the Parole Board of Canada for early release, noting the offender’s far too excessive reaction given the circumstances.

“The sheer number of blows in of itself, 75, is a shocking number of brutality and it’s not what’s reflected in the authorities before the court,” Crown prosecutor Lindsay Pearce told a BC Supreme Court parole eligibility hearing on Aug. 20 in Nanaimo.

Priddle’s immediate post-offence conduct included the fact he robbed Phillips of personal belongings, including his vehicle, tried to burn down Phillips’ suite a day after killing him and partying with friends.

He was arrested on Dec. 30 in Nanaimo, the same day Phillips’ partially decomposed body was found face-down in a pool of blood.

The defence unsuccessfully lodged a self-defence argument at trial, contending Priddle was fighting for his life to protect himself from Phillips.

The bare minimum of 10-years was requested for Priddle, who court was told has made significant gains in maintaining sobriety and turning his life around following the crime.

In delivering the ruling, Wedge referenced Priddle’s self-admittance to a residential treatment program and compliance on bail, post-offence.

“In the present case that strongly suggests that rehabilitation based on Priddle’s age and conduct before and after the offence, is a significant factor.”

She added displays of remorse, and apologies for his actions, at the August sentencing hearing also factored in to her decision.

“…after listening to Mr Phillips’ family read their statements to the court last month, Mr. Priddle stood and told them the devastating impact their statements had on him.”

Priddle had worked at a pair of Nanaimo restaurants on a full-time basis while released on bail, generating significant support from colleagues who described him as a trusting, hard-working and gentle person.

The location of Priddle’s sentence will be determined by the Correctional Service of Canada.

Several family members expanded on the immense grief Phillips’ loss has created since his violent murder. (Facebook)

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