A B.C. Supreme Court Justice handed Zain Xavier Wood, 25, a sentence of life in prison without parole for 25-years.
In November, Wood was convicted of first-degree murder in the stabbing of a Prince George, B.C., mother in front of her two children in 2023.
Wood killed 22-year-old Isabelle Thomas in her home at the Alpine Village townhouse complex in Prince George, in front of her six-year-old and six-month-old daughters. He was inside the townhouse for approximately 35 seconds and killed Thomas on the second floor, stabbing her 16 times.
During the sentencing hearing Justice Michael Tammen said Wood’s offence was extremely aggravated even within the confines of first-degree murder.
“Ms. Thomas was an Indigenous woman who was brutally murdered within the sanctity of her own home. Mr. Wood killed Ms. Thomas in the presence of her six-year-old daughter who witnessed the killing of her mother and saw her mother die from her injuries,” he said.
“The devastation wrought in respect to Ms. Thomas’ two daughters is unimaginable. Nothing within the confines of the Canadian legal system can ever undue the pain, salve the wounds, or indeed make any meaningful reparations for the surviving family members.”
Born and raised in Prince George and a member of the Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, Thomas worked as a dietary aide. She was described by friends and family as a kind and loving woman who had big plans for her life.
Wood was on house arrest for a previous offence at the time of the incident and was wearing an electronic monitoring device on his ankle. He testified he went to her home to steal a PS4 to pay for his lawyer and stabbed Thomas when she startled him.
Wood also testified that he and Thomas had briefly dated in 2019.
Tammen rejected Wood’s defence calling his story “ludicrous” and he rejected Wood’s claim he had been using drugs and hearing voices at the time of the offence.
Tammen highlighted the words used in his ruling, calling the murder “brutal, savage, callous, premeditated and planned over a period of time.”
The court heard victim impact statements from members of Thomas’ family including her mother, Leslie Thomas, who described her daughter as someone who was joyful, compassionate and deeply connected to her family, friends, and culture.
22-year-old mother of 2 killed in home invasion
She said Thomas’ murder has also forever changed the lives of her granddaughters and shattered their family.
“These two children will now grow up in a world forever changed, carrying a loss no child should ever have to bear.”
Leslie also described Thomas’ murder as a systemic failure, highlighting that Wood was wearing an ankle monitor when he killed her daughter.
“An ankle monitor does not provide constant protection. Tracking is often not continuous and may require a police officer or bail supervisor to actively request location data,” she said. “If no one is watching, no alarm is raised.”
She said her daughter’s life could have been spared if supervision had been proactive rather than assumed.
In Canada, first-degree murder carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.
However, Tammen said Wood may apply for a reduction in the years of imprisonment without eligibility of parole after serving 15 years of his sentence.
Wood was also given a lifetime ban on firearms and given a no contact order for a list of Thomas’ family and friends, as well as witnesses to the crime.
