BC man who murdered mother granted unescorted absence on Vancouver Island

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The Parole Board of Canada has approved an unescorted temporary absence on Vancouver Island for a man who sexually assaulted and murdered a mother in Maple Ridge when he was a teenager.

In 2002, Jeremy Wade Vojkovic, who was 15 at the time, brutally raped and killed 39-year-old Colleen Findlay in her suburban Vancouver home, reported CBC at the time.

According to the report, Vojkovic had tied her up, cut her throat, then doused her body and home with gasoline and set it alight.

He fled the scene in her vehicle, and authorities located him later that day, socializing with friends while consuming alcohol.

Vojkovic was convicted of first-degree murder and handed a life sentence by the judge, who characterized the crimes as “unspeakably evil.”

Now 37-years-old, Vojkovic submitted an application for a 60-day unescorted temporary absence to participate in a residential drug and alcohol treatment program at a facility located on Vancouver Island—believed to be in Nanaimo.

The family of the victim were against his release, including Colleen’s husband at the time, Dr. Jim Findlay.

It is believed treatment on Vancouver Island will provide Vojkovic an opportunity to address his substance abuse issues and undergo supervised reintegration into the community, aiding in his gradual transition back into society.

Victoria Buzz has reached out to the Parole Board of Canada for the full decision report and will update this story once we have that.