Ottawa Friends of Murder Victim Speak Out After Killer's Release
Ottawa is at the centre of a renewed push for corrections reform after the friends of Darren Pepin — a 14-year-old boy who was sexually assaulted and murdered four decades ago — learned that his killer has been granted three unescorted temporary absences from prison.
The case, reported by Global News, has brought decades of grief and frustration back to the surface for those who knew Darren. Friends who grew up alongside the young Ottawa-area teen say they were blindsided by the news, and are now calling on federal lawmakers to tighten the rules governing how and when violent offenders can leave custody — even temporarily.
What Happened to Darren Pepin
Darren Pepin was 14 years old when he was sexually assaulted and killed approximately 40 years ago. His killer was convicted and sentenced, but under Canada's Corrections and Conditional Release Act, offenders serving time — even for the most serious crimes — can be eligible for temporary absences as part of a structured reintegration process.
Temporary absences, which can be escorted or unescorted, are designed to help offenders maintain family ties, access medical care, or gradually re-enter society. But for victims' families and friends, these releases — even brief ones — can feel like a reopening of old wounds.
Friends Call for Reform
Those who knew Darren are not staying silent. Speaking out publicly, they've described the pain of learning that the man who took their friend's life has been allowed out of custody, even on a limited basis. They're calling for greater transparency in the temporary absence process, stronger notification systems for victims and their communities, and a re-examination of eligibility criteria for those convicted of violent sexual offences against children.
The friends argue the current system does not adequately weigh the nature of the original crime when making these decisions — and that unescorted absences for someone convicted of murdering a child send the wrong message to survivors and the public.
A Broader National Debate
This case is not unique to Ottawa. Across Canada, victims' advocates have long pushed for reforms to how Correctional Service Canada communicates with victims about offender movements, and how the Parole Board of Canada weighs public safety against rehabilitation when granting temporary release.
Bill C-83, passed in 2019, made some changes to the corrections framework, but critics argue it didn't go far enough — particularly for cases involving violent crimes against children.
For many Canadians, the question isn't whether rehabilitation is a worthy goal — it's whether the system is doing enough to acknowledge the lasting trauma inflicted on victims, their families, and the communities left behind.
What Happens Next
As of now, there's no indication that federal legislation specifically addressing this case is in the works. But the public outcry — particularly from people who personally knew Darren Pepin — adds to a growing chorus of voices calling on Ottawa's Parliament Hill to revisit how Canada treats victims in the corrections and conditional release process.
If you or someone you know has been affected by violent crime and wants to engage with victim advocacy resources, the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime can be reached at victimsfirst.gc.ca.
Source: Global News Ottawa — Friends of murdered teen decry killer's temporary absences, call for reform
