SURREY, British Columbia – A mother from South Surrey, B.C., has died in prison where she was serving a sentence for the murder of her eight-year-old daughter. Lisa Batstone killed Teagan Batstone in 2014 by smothering her with a plastic bag. She was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison before parole eligibility.
Batstone, who claimed she intended to die by suicide, accused her ex-husband and Teagan’s father, Gabe Batstone, of inflicting mental and emotional abuse upon them. On the night of the murder, they had a “campout” in the living room, but sometime during the night, Batstone smothered Teagan and then attempted to take her own life.
According to court documents, Batstone initially tried to smother herself with plastic bags but could not bring herself to go through with it. She then put her daughter’s body in her car, where she planned to go elsewhere and kill herself. However, she got stuck in a ditch, drawing a first responder’s attention, who found Batstone lying with her deceased daughter in the trunk of the car.
The Correctional Service of Canada confirmed Batstone’s death in prison on Jan. 1, 2022. The circumstances of the death are being reviewed, and the police and the coroner have been notified. No further details about the death have been released.
The B.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeal rejected Batstone’s sentence appeal. The Appeal Court found the original sentence to be a fit one, affirming her 15-year prison term for the murder of her daughter.
Lisa Batstone’s actions and subsequent death serve as a tragic reminder of the consequences of domestic violence and mental health struggles. This case sheds light on the complexity and severity of such issues and the need for support systems and resources to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.