DAVID SHEARING – THE MONSTER FROM WELLS GRAY PARK

A11Thirty-three years ago this week, six members of the Johnson and Bentley families – three generations – were savagely slaughtered by a sick bastard who’d stalked them for days while they camped at Wells Gray Park in central British Columbia, Canada. The motive for the murders and what actually happened is beyond disgusting. It’s truly unspeakable.

A9The victims were grandparents George Bentley, 66, and Edith Bentley, 59; parents Bob Johnson, 44, and Jackie Johnson, 41; and daughters Janet Johnson, 13, and Karen Johnson, 11. They rendezvoused for a summer vacation at the remote wilderness recreational area (300 miles northeast of Vancouver  and 465 miles northwest of Calgary) and picked a secluded camp spot at the old Bear Creek prison site. The Johnsons drove up by car and pitched a tent for the girls. The Bentleys arrived with a truck and camper to house the adults.

A7The families were reported missing on August 23, 1982, when Bob Johnson failed to show up for work. An extensive search was launched. It spread across central British Columbia as their known destination was only somewhere in the Wells Gray area, which is huge. This was long before the day of cell phones and email.

On September 13, the Johnson family car was found burned in a clearing off a mountainside logging road, thirteen aerial miles from Bear Creek. In the back seat were the incinerated remains of the four adults and, in the trunk, were the two girls. The bodies were so consumed that they were eventually interred together in one child-sized casket.

Forensic analysis determined they’d been shot in the head with a .22 caliber firearm.

The murder scene was located through information from locals who’d seen the family camped at Bear Creek. Spent .22 casings were recovered which allowed a ballistic match to the weapon, just as .22 bullet leads were extracted from what was left of the skulls.

A13The Bentley’s 1981 Ford truck with its camper was missing, as well as other possessions such as their boat and motor, camping gear, and all the things families on holidays would have.

The case gained huge media attention and prompted tips from across North America. A promising lead was the truck and camper reportedly being seen in central Canada, driven eastbound by two scruffy French-Canadian men. This prompted a wild goose chase where the police drove a replica vehicle across the nation to solicit more sighting information.

Over 13,000 tip files were investigated by many police agencies, all reaching a dead end. On October 18, 1983 – fourteen months after the murders – the Bentley truck and camper was found near the crime scene. It, too, had been burned and was in a nearly impossible-to-see place on the side of different mountain from where the car and bodies were found.

The investigation team focused back on the local area. They honed-in on 24 year old David William Shearing who lived at the nearest property to the murder scene. Like so many crimes – especially the truly bizarre ones – the answer is usually close to home.

A8Skillful interrogation by two Royal Canadian Mounted Police detectives, Sergeant Mike Eastham and Constable Ken Liebel, got David Shearing to confess, re-enact the murders, and turn over the family’s possessions. He also handed the police a .22 caliber Remington pump-action rifle, which was forensically matched as the murder weapon.

Shearing stated in his initial confession that he shot the four adults as they sat around their campfire, then shot the girls as they slept in the tent. He claimed his motive was robbery; he wanted their money and possessions. He told the investigators he loaded the bodies into the car, drove it by night to the mountainside, and set it on fire using five gallons of gasoline as an accelerant. He said he cleaned the campsite, then took the truck/camper back to his nearby property, only to burn it later when he discovered how difficult it was to re-register.

David Shearing pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and was given a life sentence with no possibility of parole for twenty-five years. Following Shearing’s conviction, Mike Eastham re-interviewed him and got the truth behind the murders.

A3Shearing was a pedophile and fixated on the little girls. He’d spotted the family the moment they set up camp and spent several days spying on them from a hillside, fantasizing about having sex with the kids. At dusk on (or about) August 10, 1982, Shearing crept through the shadows into the campsite with his rifle and opened fire, ambushing the adults who surrounded the fire. He captured the girls and took them to his property where he kept them alive for a week, repeatedly raping the children. On August 16, Shearing shot Karen in the back of the head. The next day he killed Janet the same way.

Shearing took the girl’s bodies back to the Johnson family car, which he’d hidden in the bush, and stuffed them in the trunk. Then he drove the car –  containing six lifeless human beings, four of who’d been decomposing for a week in the summer heat – on a ride up the mountain where he burned them.

The Johnson – Bentley case has a personal side with me.

Mike Eastham and Ken Liebel were colleagues of mine. I was with the RCMP’s northwestern BC criminal investigation section at the time of the ‘J-B’ murders and I helped follow-up tips in the file – just like many other police officers across the nation did.

AA18I’ve handled the J-B murder weapon at the forensic laboratory in Vancouver and I’ve worked the action and I’ve looked down the sights. I’ve contemplated how such a small, mechanical device did such incomprehensible damage in the hands of a monster. I’ve envisioned that ride – Shearing chauffeuring a car-load of rotting bodies up to their funeral pyre – but where I can’t go is the unspeakable… unimaginable… terror… horror… that Janet and Karen Johnson endured. I know some of the details and they’re truly unprintable.

A1David Shearing (now David Ennis because the coward changed to his mother’s maiden surname) was denied parole in 2012 and withdrew his application in 2014 when a petition with 13,258 signatures was presented to the National Parole Board, mine being one of them. He’s now eligible to apply every two years and, if this breathing piece of shit tries it again in 2016, you’re going to hear me ask for your signature on another petition.

David William Shearing, aka Ennis, is a monster from the shadows of Wells Gray Park.

He must die behind bars.

*   *   *

A14Retired RCMP Sergeant Mike Eastham co-authored a book with Ian McLeod on the Johnson–Bentley investigation. Outside of telling the truth of what Shearing did, and must pay for with the rest of his life, it’s a fascinating look at a major murder investigation and how personalities work for – and against – it.

My opinion –  Mike Eastham (and a hell of a lot of others) did a great job in bringing Shearing to justice and Mike told a great story. I highly recommend The Seventh Shadow – The Wilderness Hunt for a Brutal Mass Murderer.

Here’s the link:  http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Shadow-Wilderness-Manhunt-Brutal/dp/1894020472/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1439589512&sr=1-1&keywords=the+seventh+shadow

Here’s the new 2018 CBC hour-long The Detectives story on the J-B murders narrated by Mike Eastham – https://watch.cbc.ca/share/episode/2e8c34bb-f55c-4017-8630-02d3ae3cb2bb Mike does an excellent narration supported by professional actors.

There is an excellent documentary called “The Wells Grey Gunman David Shearing“. It’s produced by “True Crime Stories” that tells the story of the investigation, Shearing’s arrest/confession, and what his motivation was for the Johnson-Bentley murders. I personally know a number of the actual investigators who are interviewed in the show and I can say that this documentary is presented accurately and fairly. It’s well worth the 45-minute watch.

Here’s the link:  http://www.lectoro.com/index.php?action=search&ytq=Crime%20Stories%20%20%20The%20Wells%20Grey%20Gunman%20David%20Shearing

126 thoughts on “DAVID SHEARING – THE MONSTER FROM WELLS GRAY PARK

  1. Lisa

    I visited wells gray recently and learned about this murder. David Ennis (Shearing) is up for a parole hearing again this month.

    Not to excuse his behaviours but often men that kill/rape often come from some kind of traumatic home life. It seemed like his father’s death was a trigger. I wonder if there is more to that part of the story. Do you know?

    I came across this petition to try to stop him from getting parole: https://www.change.org/p/parole-board-of-canada-keep-david-ennis-aka-david-shearing-convicted-mass-murderer-behind-bars-deny-parole?signed=true

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      I don’t know anything about Shearing’s home life or upbringing, Lisa. Like you say, not to excuse his behaviors, I find it utterly inconsequential to what he did to the JB family. I make no apologies for my stance – David Shearing should be executed, not allowed a parole application.

      1. Eddie

        I agree Gary..a total price of garbage…there are plenty of people that have horrible upbringings and turn out just fine…no excuse for what this loofah did …let the family flip the sswitch… thanks eddie

  2. Lavy

    Hi Gary

    Thanks for your clear account and taking the time to reply to all the comments. I just learned about this case and currently am dealing with the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Please tell me if he’s still in prison. Once the 25 years are up, does he have to be released? I just want to say that regardless of the current social wars and me being an immigrant, I am super grateful and respectful for our frontline officers, and generally the police, firefighters and emergency workers who keep society from total anarchy. I don’t believe in the “inherent goodness” of humanity as a whole nor badness as such. We are just all too different to get along and many are far too immature to control themselves from violence. People like david the devil are just too far disconnected from their own humanity to be able to commit such Heinous crimes. Thank god for the law. Hope you’re safe during the COVID-19 mayhem.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      I’m happy to hear you’ve read this piece, Lavy. As far as I know, David Shearing @ David Ennis is still in a maximum security penitentiary. I just fiddled around online to see if I could locate him within the Corrections Canada site, but it looks like his privacy is more important than our right to keep the public informed about this monster. I’m sure I would have heard something if there were noises of another parole application.

      No, Shearing does not have to be released ever. He’s been in custody about 37 years now and I doubt if he’ll ever get released. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and, in Canada, life means life. It’s just that there is a mandatory eligibility to apply for parole after he’s served the first 25 years. His application wasn’t successful and, as far as I know, Shearing hasn’t tried again. If he does, I’ll be one of the first to start a petition opposing it. It worked last time. Thanks for commenting!

  3. Joseph Orsini

    I just watched the episode on “The Case that Haunts Me”. How any human being can do this is beyond my realm of comprehension. I have two nieces around that age and if that happened to them, I would find a way to break into that jail and suck the soul out of his life. Please email me for any future petitions that need signing. I will plaster my social media with it.
    On a side note, that guy that played you was a damn good actor.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Real human beings don’t do what Shearing did to other humans. Just to set the record straight, I was never a prime investigator in this case, but thanks for commenting, Joseph.

  4. david w. wright

    Unbelievable…Anyone that has any positive thoughts for this man is unbelievable….The US is steering towards a socialist style, feel good way of dealing with the most heinous of crimes…Even now, death row is just a way of saying you’ll get your own cell, tv, and yard time….It’s despicable…One bullet and all this nonsense would surely end…Him esp.

    1. Michele H Vernet

      An acquaintance of this pos calls this massacre “mistakes”? Mistakes are picking up your wife’s car keys instead of yours when ready to leave for work. Mistakes to have murdered 6 in a family? Raped the 2 young girls daily for a week before shooting them? Mistakes,? Damn I’d like to slap this Baron dude!

  5. Duude

    Just got finished watching a re-enactment of these crimes on a forensics science show. I’m not Canadian so I wasn’t aware of the crimes this pos committed back in the 1980s. These crimes are so heinous and disgusting, I wanted to vomit. While I’m aware evil exists I’m totally disillusioned about Canada’s sentencing standards for such heinous crimes. Why put living family members through parole hearings for this pos every two years? Why victimize this family over and over and over? Why is the Canadian system so callous to victims of crime? This POS should have been executed years ago, much less up for parole every two years. Pedophiliacs don’t reform. They just get old. Their lives are immersed in the same sexual fantasies till the day they die.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Thanks for taking the time to comment, Duude. I fully understand your disillusion and perplexity with the Canadian legal system – I’m careful about giving it credit as a justice system. This particular case is among the most horrific crimes ever committed in Canada. As such, it deserves the most serious punishment. In order to understand why Shearing/Ennis is eligible to apply for parole and has not been executed, it’s necessary to understand the Canadian legal system at the time of Shearing’s sentence in the 1980s.

      Canada is a semi-socialist nation with generally left-leaning liberal views. Perhaps it’s a polar-opposite reflection of the United States, but Canadian leaders of that era (along with considerable public support) viewed capital punishment as “cruel and unusual punishment”, thereby banning the death penalty even for the most heinous crimes like the Johnson-Bentley murders. Shearing was never a legal candidate for execution, no matter how much people like you and me think he should be.

      In Canada, both first-degree and second-degree murder convictions have mandatory life imprisonment sentences. First degree pertains to planned and premeditated murders and second-degree applies to intention murders that weren’t necessarily planned and can be argued as spontaneous. The sentencing difference in Canada between first and second deals with parole application eligibility. A convict can apply for parole after serving ten years of a second-degree conviction, while a first-degree convict has to wait for 25 years. However, this is at a judge’s discretion. The prosecutor in Shearing’s case accepted a lesser plea to six counts of second-degree murder rather than the first-degree counts he was originally charged with. This was because of uncertainty surrounding the admissibility of Shearing’s confession. If run through trial, the confession might have been ruled inadmissible and there was a distinct possibility that Shearing may have walked. To ensure his conviction and imprisonment, the plea deal was struck with Shearing’s lawyer arguing for an early parole eligibility. The presiding judge, using common sense, had none of it. He accepted and registered the six second-degree murder counts but ruled Shearing would have to wait 25 years before applying for parole – the same as if convicted of firsts.

      To be clear, David Shearing premeditated all six of the J-B family murders. That is without question. He is guilty of planning and executing the family. However, there was another flaw in the Canadian legal system at the time. It didn’t matter how many people Shearing killed. The law back then held that all six sentences were to be served concurrently, that is all at the same time, so he got one lump-sum with a 25-year parole eligibility threshold. Fortunately, that’s now changed. Canada now allows consecutive sentencing for murders which means they have to be served one after the other. In this era of the Canadian pendulum somewhat swinging right, Shearing would have to serve 150 years before being eligible for parole. Unfortunately, that can’t apply retroactively to Shearing and he still benefits from an antiquated legal loophole.

      On the bright side – if there is any in this case – it’s highly unlikely that any parole board would realistically give a monster like David Shearing parole privileges. Sadly, he’s likely to surface again and test the system which means the Johnson-Bently family members will have to go through turmoil again. It’s absolutely not fair for victim rights, but that’s the Canadian legal system for you.

      1. Crystal

        I grew up in Clearwater, my parents knew Dvid to be very quiet.. a loner..
        I was also one of those kids that was quiet but had big ears. And while I understand that David confessed and did these unspeakable things to this poor family I strongly am of the opinion that he did NOT do this alone. I know who R.C is and I know there is more to this story.

        1. Garry Rodgers Post author

          Thanks for reading and commenting, Crystal. I’m curious how you know there is more to this story. Please fill me in. If you don’t want to comment on a public board, please email me at garry.rodgers@shaw.ca. I will respect your privacy and confidentiality.

      2. Dara

        Thank you for the legal clarification. Hanging, firing squad, gas chamber yes they might have all been cruel, but a shot that paralyzes, sedates then stops the heart not cruel enough! Thank God the law has changed in Canada and now allows for consec. Sentencing. I will gladly sign a petition to keep him in jail.

      3. Lisa Hofeling

        I just watched a tv show about this and I’m beyond horrified and disgusted. Excellent work law enforcement for not only catching this monster but getting the truth about what really happened. I’m sure had more time passed with him getting away with it would have lead to more girls being molested and more murders. I just have to say that I am pretty left leaning, as are many of my friends and family, and none of us are against the death penalty. I mean, I personally, think it should be up to the families of the victims. But if it was my daughter, (and for this monster), the death penalty is far too humane. There are certain cases like this where he is without a shadow of a doubt guilty, and these cases should be treated “specially”, i.e. put in gen pop with the regular inmates who would be perfectly happy to torture and kill this POS. I guess the Catch 22 is that could serve as a deterrent for people to confess, but there is always a way to keep it on the down low. I can only hope that there are guards in this POSITION prison whose priority has been actual justice not his safety.

        1. Garry Rodgers Post author

          There are many people who feel this way about Shearing. I’m sure some prison staff who have to deal with him also feel like turning him loose into GP. However, he’s a very high-profile target and no government employee is going to intentionally risk their job and pension to do-in this monster. Thanks for your comment, Lisa.

    2. Donald Barnett

      I saw the same show and this individual is truly a monster! It gives me chills now thinking what those young girls went through being held captive & rapped after seeing their parents/grandparents killed. I can only pray they had each other to hang onto until the end.
      I was floored to hear that he was up for parole! NEVER EVER should this monster be released!! EVER!!
      He should’ve been shot in my opinion.
      Anyone wanting to see evil, look at this individual.

      1. Garry Rodgers Post author

        Thanks for commenting, Donald. I’m sure we’ll hear of another parole application from Shearing, but I seriously doubt he’ll be granted freedom – not as long as what he did remains in the public eye.

  6. Pingback: 030 – The Wells Gray Murders – Dark Poutine – True Crime & Dark History

  7. Mel

    Hello Gary,

    I just finished watching “The detectives “ episode for this tragedy. I couldn’t help but to cry for those two angels, now angels in heaven. I myself have a wee one and when I here if crimes like that my mind automatically goes to her. The fear and horror those wee angels would have gone through during their finals days in this life, at the hands of that “disgusting parasite” the disgusting f**k” as I would like to refer to him as, makes my heart cry. This kind of story is why I am such an over protective parent now.

    When I was a young girl myself, my family and I used to go camping all around BC, and Clearwater being one of the spots we camped often. When I think of how close we were to that parasite on many occasions it chills me to my bones. We had a dog during those trips and I wonder now if she was not barking at him in the nights shadows. That makes me sick to my stomach to think about.

    All I can say now is thank goodness for RCMP like yourself who make this world a safer place. My heart goes out to you and the horrors you must have seen in your career let alone had to learn of detailed facts on. If I am reading correctly this parasite finally died? If not my name would be on the list to keep his not fit for humanity ass in jail until he rots there, hopefully being raped repeatedly during the rest of his pitifully disgusting life. I hope that’s what happened to him regardless. Anyway take care and thank you again for your hard work and the safe arms you put society in due to your hard work. Take care always

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Hi Mel and thanks for commenting. I, too, can’t imagine what the Johnson girls went through while they were still alive as Shearing’s sex slaves. It’s beyond human comprehension that he could do this. And you’re wrong about Shearing being dead. He’s very much alive and warehoused in prison under the name David Ennis (he changed his name to his mother’s maiden name). He’s eligible to apply for parole again in the future, not that he’s likely to get it. I’ll certainly be shouting from the rooftop if Shearing gets another hearing.

  8. Murray Wambolt

    I am curious as to this POS status as of Sept 2018. When it is time to sign another petition, contact me.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Thanks for commenting, Murray. As of today, 27Sep2017, Shearing is still in maximum security and there’s no parole hearing set that I know of. But, you can be sure that someday in the future this human POS will apply again. I will certainly let everyone know if he comes up for a parole hearing again. ~Garry

  9. Dyana Lyon

    This demon of a man, took a family my hometown of WESTBANK destroyed for life. My mother knew Bobby Johnson and went to school with him. My cousin was SUPPOSED to go on this trip , but never went due to an disagreement a week prior. I am today working on a BS. Degree in Criminal Justice, and this guy is one of the reasons I study the behavior of PSYCHOPATHS and criminal behavior.

    May he rot in jail for the horrendous crime he did, regardless of any apology he tries to come up with.

  10. Greg

    The way I see it and I for an eye and a tooth for a tooth this son of a bitch should be castrated tortured and everything out and everything else like what he did to the family . It doesn’t matter if he becomes rehabilitated what he did is what you did and there’s no excuse for that he deserves to be executed. There is no forgiving somebody that does something like this is absolutely disgusting and I wish he would burn in hell

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      You’re saying what a lot of people think, Greg. That includes me. If there’s ever a Canadian case for capital punishment, it’s Shearing/Ennis. However, we’re too “civilized” in Canada to put a guy like this down. I sincerely hope he never gets paroled. Thanks for commenting.

      1. Greg

        I was thinking that only if they had a dog this may have never happened. I’m sure the dog would have detected him before he did what he did or the dog may have forced him to not do what he did.

        1. Garry Rodgers Post author

          Good point, Greg. It seems Shearing stalked them for at least 3 nights. Probably a dog would have raised the alarm, but we’ll never know.

        2. Kevin

          “If there’s ever a Canadian case for capital punishment, it’s Shearing/Ennis.”

          Possibly, Garry. But he’s not alone, not by a long shot. What about Michael McGray? He is equally revolting. You should fill your readers in on a few of the worst Canada has to offer: maybe you can include a brief bio of Michael McGray and a few other horrible examples when you reply to me?

          I’m also tempted to think of the depravity of Douglas Robert Worth. That psychopath is the reason Canada has a ‘dangerous offender’ designation. He went to the penitentiary in Edmonton breathing threats of hate against Canadian society for putting him there, and vowed to get even. He expressed admiration for the Yorkshire Ripper, claimed a desire to show up with an axe at a schoolyard and chop up children after his release, and told the prison psychiatrist he’d make notorious killer Clifford Olsen look like a choir boy. Eventually he murdered Metis girl Trina Campbell.

          1. Garry Rodgers Post author

            I’m with you, Kevin. There are a number of other Canadian criminals like McGray and Worth who should be permanently removed from the gene pool. Thanks for pointing these guys out! I might just do a post on Canadian killers…

  11. Susan

    Thank you and your colleagues for the investigative work. The good guys’ work ethic and strength keep the bad guys down. Thank you again.

      1. JannaToronto

        Thank you for your fascinating blog! I’m addicted to the CBC show The Detectives and just watched this case for the second time. I have no words- just want to say thank you. To you, Detective Eastman, and everyone else who help keep this country safe. I’m so grateful that you fight to keep this lunatic in jail.

        Just one curiosity- did Shearling’s mother disown him?

        1. Garry Rodgers Post author

          And thank you for thanking me, Janna. Mike Eastham and his team did a textbook job of investigating and solving the J-B murders. Their masterful skill in getting Shearing to confess and turn over evidence ensured this monster went to jail. Let’s hope Shearing stays there till he dies. I really don’t know anything about Shearing’s mother except that her maiden name was Ennis and he legally changed his name to Ellis.

  12. Bradley Maxim

    It’s despicable, gruesome and disgusting stories like this that in my opinion deserve immediate execution. There’s monsters like this thrughout North America that we choose to support in institutions rather then execute, so our governments hide behind the adage, “we’re too good for this, we don’t kill killers”…..BULLSHIT, A PIECE OF SHIT LIKE THAT DOESN’T HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE! after snuffing out 6 innocent lives. And there are many others out there,,,, they kill, they rape, they kidnap and molest and we support them….. now that’s ‘Idiocrasy in Motion’….. and none of this waiting on death row bullshit. If there’s not a shadow of a doubt, then execute ASAP and the world should be less one piece of shit where so many exist.

    1. Victoria Skupiewski

      I honestly beleive a the fate of a man behind bars in maximum security for life is worse. Once you’re dead, it’s over. I want the people who commit crimes like these to suffer for as long as possible. Theres a reason many criminals commit suicide before they are caught.

  13. Cheryl Bell

    Do you think he was responsible for more murders in and around areas where he worked and lived, 24 years old at the time and it was murder and rape of 6 people, 2 being children, sounds like he had some experience with this kinda think, makes me wonder how many missing people died by his hands.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      To my knowledge, there are no other unsolved murders Shearing is suspected of. He was responsible for a hit and run that killed a pedestrian and it was dealt with as part of the original investigation. Thanks for commenting, Cheryl

  14. Gary Halcrow

    I just watched The Detectives show about the Johnson/Bentley murders. It’s a terrible reality and truly great that it was solved and Shearing remains in prison where he must stay. What strikes me is that the case initially believed 2 people were involved and the story never went back to that theory when it finalized on Shearing. The story doesn’t even confirm that he acted alone. Why did the husband silence his wife , who eventually provided Shearing’s name. Why wouldn’t he want her to provide facts? Did he have something to lose? I hope Mike Eastham and the RCMP looked closely at him to ensure he wasn’t involved. He too was “close to home”!

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Thanks for your comment, Gary. The TV show didn’t have time to tell every detail. The two-person theory was only that – a working theory based on inaccurate information. And the uncooperative husband was just one of those guys who didn’t like police and didn’t want to get involved. There’s no shortage of them out there. It’s 100% certain – no doubt whatsoever – that Shearing acted alone and his motive was to sexually abuse one or both of the girls.

  15. rebekah kintzinger

    Hi Garry, your retired from a substantial career and yet you run a successful blog.
    I can’t even *not run* my blog 💕 so take my respect, please.
    Most of my family was already in Clearwater when this was going on – my Oma and Opa were building their house by Dutch Lake and my aunt and Uncle had just bought much acres up the park road.
    My parents just had me the year before (a third child of 4), in Smothers, BC – and we moved to Clearwater in 1987 after my dad was already working there at Wherehauyser for several years and the commute was driving mom crazy now that my little sister was born.

    I am just saying thank you. …In an attempt of a more personal way. I miss my childhood – the opportunities we were given in the form of freedom to grow outside in the wilderness in a small town and feel safe — things I cannot offer my two boys now in Kelowna. I can’t even really describe it to them in a way they understand: the 80s and 90s – and i dont mean the music.

    I have some family members who are RCMP now, and I am very appreciative they had the strength and courage to do the training to support their communities in this way.
    And I feel the same way for the David fucking Shearing case also – in regard for the many, many who put in hours to lay this tragedy to resolve. Even if I was 1 year old. For a safer Clearwater. For my future. Because we all needed that.

    Thank you.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Thanks for commenting, Rebekah. I’ve often wondered what society would be like without a frontline police force. I think it’d be a law of the jungle with savages like Shearing helping themselves to whatever they want. BTW, Clearwater is a beautiful spot regardless of this bit of black history.

      1. Olivia Richardson

        Mr.Rodgers

        I just saw the detectives re; this serial killer. As l am watching this episode, im holding my 1 yr old son as he sleep peacefully in my arms. I began to cry. I could not imagine what those two little angels endure by the hands of this animal. I know that l never knew this family but l hope wherever they are they are all together and in peace. Thank for the blog/post and for keeping evil man like this behind bars. May he rot in jail…always

  16. CLIFF HILDA

    A final comment ….placing these types of horrible crimes in Historical context …..what happened to that terribly unlucky family is what must have happened to Pioneer families when going ”Out West” in the 1700-1800s ….something you can easily imagine happening during the so called ”French and Indian Wars” in the time of the ”Last of the Mohicans” etc or a lone wagon heading out to California or Arizona that was attacked by renegade Indians , killing the adults and kidnapping the young girls for later sexual gratification ; YES I can easily imagine something like this happening on the American, or Canadian frontier !

  17. CLIFF HILDA

    Garry , I have a vivid personal experience with a serial killer when I went down to Australia in 82, and on my THIRD day in country was very nearly murdered by a gruesome creep A K A Ivan MIlat …if you are interested in what actually happened then let me know …the Doc about the case is here …crime investigation Australia//backpacker murders//youtube

  18. CLIFF HILDA

    Shearing should definitely be executed ; doesn’t Canada have the death penalty ?….I’m surprised that some convict hasn’t eradicated that shameless vermin …he doesn’t even have the decency to commit suicide
    As a long time serious student of History and Human Psychology , unfortunately, none of this surprises me !..It’s the timeless truth about human nature , that we have slowly evolved from primitive ape-like creatures over the last million years ..and that Civilisation is a mere taming process, not unlike the domestication of farm animals , but the fact remains is that it’s only a veneer , shallow and somewhat superficial , that disguises a more eternal nature just beneath the surface ….
    Conrad got it right with his timeless ”Heart of Darkness” , just as Golding recognised a similar truth with his masterful ”Lord of the Flies” and more recently , Conrad McCarthy with his eternal ”Blood Meridian ” !..insomuch there is a dividing line between good and evil,; between the civilised and the barbaric and this so called ”Blood Meridian” must be recognised for what it is and we must never allow ourselves to cross it except in dire situations like War and immediate self defence !

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Thanks for reading & commenting, Cliff. Canada hasn’t had the death penalty since the 1960s. Shearing wouldn’t have been eligible for execution as he was convicted of 2nd-degree or non-capital murder because of the plea bargain (which was necessary, imo). I’m sure Corrections Canada keeps Shearing isolated as he’d likely be a mark in general population.

  19. Gretz

    Have just watched the detectives and what wonderful law enforcement officers you were! And thank god you were, that monster needed to go behind bars! I think our buddy Mike is a troll myself, enjoying stirring everyone up.
    I like watching true detective and cold case programs. It is so frustrating when cases become cold cases because law enforcement didn’t do their job properly and someone 20 years later does it for them. Thank goodness that wasn’t the case this time.
    Thanks for explaining the sentencing. It’s a wonder he hasn’t been dealt with behind bars for the heinous things he did to those little girls. He is pure evil.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Thanks for your comment, Gretz. I think Shearing is a high-value target within the system so the guards keep him safely separated from the general population. Maybe the best thing for Shearing is putting him in GP in a women’s prison 🙂 And you might be right about “Mike” being a troll – I never thought about that.

  20. Martin

    Have just viewed the Detectives programme on the Wells Gray Gunman and wanted to pass on my appreciation to Mike, Ken, all the RCMP officers and media involved in bringing that POS ( His Name is unworthy of mention) to Justice.

    Unfortunately, there is no lack of such sick people in this world so we are truly appreciative of the dedication of those who serve, protect and bring to justice as we are of the media who help support your efforts.

    God bless you all.?

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Thanks for commenting, Martin. The investigation team capturing Shearing were the most dedicated bunch I’ve seen. They worked their hearts out on the J-B case.

      1. CLIFF HILDA

        The doc has shown just how an investigation can be seriously side tracked due to well intentioned , but bogus information …Investigators must always keep an open mind and not follow the obvious path

  21. Paul

    Hello Gary
    Great write ups ,an i cant agree more with most of your readers comments.
    The ones that are saying this bag of crap is rehabilitated should be looked at ????.
    I grew up with the Bentlys went to school with the kids.
    The whole street knew who was who,all were treated like family.
    My hat goes off to Mike Eastam for the way he conducted himself.
    The power within himself to remain in control was amazing .
    I myself am an ex Member after Mikes time as i only had 4 years service at the time of his retirement.
    My heart goes out to the families an the officers involved in such a horrifying case.
    Paul

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Thanks for stopping by, Paul. Mike Eastham was already a Corporal when I joined the RCMP in 1978. (Wow – 40 years flew by 🙂 I don’t like being one of those guys that says how much better policing was “back in my day” but I’d venture that today, Shearing would have got away with the J-B murders because of the Charter of Rights restrictions. Mike and Ken Liebel did one of the best interrogations I ever heard of and they were able to keep Shearing from lawyering-up which, today, goes with the deal. Others might not agree with my viewpoint, but rights shouldn’t apply to someone who did what Dave Shearing did.

  22. Ed

    How is that this evil monster has not been declared a dangerous offender & should never be paroled what a great legal system Too bad we no longer have the death penalty As to those who feel that his rights are being abused SORRY that ship sailed when he pulled the trigger HE HAS NO RIGHTS We need to stand strong for those 6 that were so brutally taken their rights were stolen Thank you Mike Eastham & all the others involved in this case for your service my hope is you can find some peace after enduring this horror

  23. Truth be told

    I am watching ‘The Detectives ‘ i don’t care how old this guy was or how he is a different person now.
    You can not excuse murders or rape or burning people.
    I feel awful or this guys family.
    Keep this one till death .

  24. Rhoda

    Two things astound me:
    – He got married while serving his sentence. What kind of woman marries someone like this!??
    – He’s being held in Bowden Penitentiary, which is medium security. Why not a more high-security facility?

      1. Cathy

        Hi Gary – I recorded ‘The Detectives’ televised on CBC Tuesday, January 10, 2018. I just finished watching it and had to hit rewind when the host, Mike Eastham, looked familiar. It’s been many years but I had the privilege of being a data entry clerk for RCMP in Kamloops for a few months when this case was being investigated. So watching this show and seeing Mike brought back memories.
        I remember the calm that came over the station when David Shearing was identified as the murderer of the Johnson and Bentley families. Everyone worked so hard to solve this case.
        I’m surprised to find out that Shearing was not sentenced consecutively for these hanous crimes, which would have put him behind bars for 150 years and no possibility of parole. I’m wondering if the concurrent sentencing was/is done to save dollars. Which would mean our government has a cost for public safety when it comes to sentencing criminals like Shearing.

        1. Garry Rodgers Post author

          Hi Cathy, Nice to hear from you. It was a tremendous relief when Shearing was charged and an even greater one when he was convicted. The strength of the case against Shearing was his statement/confession made to Mike Eastham and Ken Liebel and the physical evidence stemming from it. The Crown made the right decision in allowing Shearing to plead guilty to six counts of 2nd-degree murder rather than run a trial on 1st degree. If Shearing’s confession was ruled inadmissible, he may have got off and set free. That was too big a risk to take so they plea bargained it down to 2nd. That still called for a mandatory life sentence with a variable being the parole eligibility time. Minimum time was 10 years rather than the mandatory 25-year period 1st-degree murder carries. It was the judge’s prerogative on where to set parole time and he gave Shearing the max of 25 years, which has now passed, making him forever eligible to get out. I really doubt that will happen, as long as this case remains in the public eye which Mike Eastham and I are trying to do.

          You raised a good point about why Shearing got concurrent sentences (lumped into one penalty) instead of consecutive ones. It’s because of the liberal law mentality back in the 1980s when Shearing was sentenced. It was illegal to give a Canadian murderer consecutive terms because it was “cruel and unusual punishment” or some type of rights-violation thinking. (Try sell that one to the J-B victims and their families). It wasn’t until 2011 that this law was changed and now guys like Shearing could spend 150 years before parole eligibility. The first person given three consecutive life sentences was Jason Borque who killed the 3 RCMP members in Moncton, New Brunswick in 2014. Since then, there’s been a few more added to the “total” life sentence list.

  25. Metalneck aka Angie

    Garry, I just found your blog after Googling David Shearing’s name to see if he was still alive, still incarcerated, etc. Imagine my joy in seeing Dying Words in the link I clicked! Alas, just your blog name! (Which, by the way, is FANTASTIC) Shearing was young when he committed his heinous crime, (which the public apparently was never told the complete truth about- that’s okay, what we have been told is atrocious enough)- my point being he’s only about 60 or so now, right? This is still a relatively young age in this day and time. I’m now following you and will GLADLY AND QUICKLY sign any upcoming petition to keep that monster exactly where he is in the future. Thank you for providing this forum, and a big thank you to all of law enforcement, current and retired, that protect the citizens in their states/provinces/countries from these animals. You all have had a helluva job that I couldn’t do without taking out my anger on these pos or going insane. Truly, I thank you all.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Thanks for your comment and appreciation for police officers, Angie. I can’t take any personal credit for putting Shearing in jail. That goes to Mike Eastham, Ken Liebel and a whole team of dedicated investigators. All I can do is keep Shearing visible and reduce the remote odds that he might get parole.

  26. Mike

    It’s amazing how people voice an opinion about a man they never met . David has been rehabilitated quite well. The CSC staff has done a wonderful job with him … he is one of the most peaceful people on the planet

      1. Michael Eastham

        Well said Garry. Shearing has spent the last 34 years in prison, and will spend his entire life behind bars. I don’t think there is a member of any parole board who would be willing to grant him his release.
        I have been somewhat instrumental in ensuring he stays behind bars…through media, people like you, the book The Seventh Shadow, and the Documentary The Wells Grey Gunman which is still available on U Tube.
        On January 10th 2018 CBC will start to show a series Called THE DETECTIVES…it is an 8 episode series dealing with the most horrific crimes in Canadian History. They are leading off with the first episode being the Johnson ^ Bentley Murders which is portrayed by actors, and narrated by myself throughout the 1 hour show. I haven’t seen it yet,l but will be previewing in the next two weeks during a media junket. I understand that it has been very well done, and CBC is boasting about the series etc.
        Bottom line is that the media attention is bound to keep him locked up for good. Also, I informed WAM Productions that you would be a good go to person for future episodes. Feel free to contact me if you wish.

        cheers, Mike Eastham

        1. Garry Rodgers Post author

          So great to hear from you, Mike. We’ve crossed paths over the years and seen a lot of shit but the J-B case is beyond anything ever heard of. I bow to you and your Kamloops S/D GIS team… Reliable, Dalin, Ron German, Haugland, and others for perfectly resolving the worst Canadian mass-murder case. I’m with you that Shearing likely won’t get parole but you never know with this system. They gave it to Larry Takahashi – Balaclava Rapist (I took a run at them, too) http://dyingwords.net/the-boneheads-on-the-parole-board/#sthash.XOFktch3.dpbs So… who knows how deep stupidity runs… see bleeding-heart Mike’s comment M_gress@gmail.com comment below

          Been following the new CBC series, as well. Seems time for us old detectives to have a coffee, Mike. Give me a shout @ garry.rodgers@shaw.ca 🙂

      2. Sheryl

        When someone comments that this disgusting excuse for a human being is rehabilitated, as Gary says….let him camp with your little girls….think about it people. Sadly he is still alive….let him rot in jail…that is too good for him as far as I am concerned. I will sign any petition to keep him behind bars.

    1. Cassandra

      Mike— I have never, in my life, left a comment on a website’s comment thread before this. However, having read your comment I simply had to say something.

      People of Shearer’ caliber do not go from murderous pedophiles to “some of the most peaceful people on the planet”. And the only people who would be gross enough to sympathize with this despicable excuse of a human being is another fellow pedophile. These two young girls watched the slaughter of their family and then were held hostage and raped repeatedly by this absolute monster all while surely knowing they were going to die soon.

      But I’m sure it’ll bring the victim’s family members comfort to know he’s “peaceful” now. Judging solely on your comment alone I know I wouldn’t trust you around my daughter. And yes, I don’t know you. Thanks God for that.

    2. Cathy

      I agree rehabilitation is a good thing. However, the real test for being rehabilitated is to be out in the real world, and for a man to commit the crimes that Shearing did I have a hard time believing he can function in the real world as a valued member of a community.

    3. Tamling

      You’re kidding right? To me you are no better than the murdering pedaphile like Garry said let him take your girls on a camping trip. He murdered three generations and raped two little girls. He may be rehabilitated but, it doesn’t change the evil he did. He shouldn’t be living and we shouldn’t be paying for him to live! I hope they are treating him the way he treated those little girls in jail. Bleeding hearts like you make me sick you should join him in his cell!

    4. Pixie Angel

      Would you let this man camp with your daughters, grand daughters or sisters? He repeatedly raped two young girls after stalking them and killing their family…..during his time in prison he has never done any sex offender treatment…..of course he is docile….he is in segregation and not around young girls!!!!! He has done nothing to rehabilitate himself!!!

      1. Garry Rodgers Post author

        We’re on the same wavelength – thanks for commenting. Looking back, I think Gretz is right that “Mike” was a troll. I can’t see anyone being really that dumb.

      1. Megan H

        Is there already a petition set up, to sign? I will gladly sign it.
        This disgusting man doesn’t deserve to be let out.

        Can’t imagine the pain and suffering the family and friends all went thru, during this ordeal. And continuing on to this day.

        There is no “rehabilitation” for someone who does what he did. You can’t go thru “therapy” and be magically cured of your sick, disgusting thoughts. Especially what he did to the little girls.

        And to think,some sick women married this pos. Can’t even imagine what would happen if he was let out.

        Makes me sick to know we don’t have the death penalty. He deserves it. So do all pedos, and murderers. Why we waste our tax payers money to they can live wonderfully for the rest of their life’s just astounds me.

        They take a life, theirs should be taken too.

        I just watched The Detectives episode about it. Brought tears to my eyes. Especially the end part, where he talked about in his dreams always opening the trunk.

  27. JYJames

    Excellent work by the Constable and the Sergeant, I believe, who elicited the confession.

    (Crime Stories, Amazon Prime Video, Season 2, Episode 5: The Wells Grey Gunman)

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Full credit goes to Ken Liebel and Mike Eastham who skillfully got Shearing to confess and make it stick. Interrogation doesn’t get better than what these two RCMP members did with Shearing.

  28. Patricia K

    What a sad story this is! I watched a TV program about it yesterday, very upsetting. I want to thank you and your fellow officers for being there to pick up society’s garbage, like David Shearing. My husband and I have talked about visiting Wells Gray Park. Which I’m sure is a beautiful spot, but not so sure about going there now. We have been to Jasper, Banff, Yoho, the Salmon Arm area and all are wonderful. We live in Washington State so we are close by and I seem to remember hearing about this at the time, as well as Clifford Olson. Some of the people here commenting about the Canadian justice system don’t seem to know much about it, isn’t that always the way? Anyway thank you again and please thank any fellow officers you are still in touch with for working this case. I don’t know if I could look at the world through the same eyes after dealing with this POS and what he did.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Thanks for your comment, Patricia. I agree with your POS assessment – in fact, I have a bit stronger view of Shearing. Olson’s rampage was several years earlier than Shearing but even more deadly if you can envision that. I have to say the Canadian justice system is tightening up. We’ve always been pretty good at catching monsters – it’s keeping them in jail that’s the problem. Fortunately, parole for worst case offenders is harder to get but there’s always the possibility Shearing may be released some day. I’ll be the first voice to help prevent it.

  29. Robert Frazier

    Hi. Mr. Rodgers, you write a WONDERFUL blog, by the by. And contrary to what some who have written to your Comments page may think or say, David Shearing IS getting his just reward on Earth; he has to hear (from NOW ON, UNTIL SOMEONE IN A UNIFORM PUTS HIS BODY IN A BOX AND SHUTA HIS EYES), his little victims scream, cry for their Mummy and Daddy, and beg him for mercy…day in, day out–and MOST ESPECIALLY, night in and night out. Best of all–unless he repeats and begs God to save his soul from sin (and since his conscience has been seared by a hot iron–see Romans chapter 1 for reference–that more than likely WILL NOT HAPPEN), he will, SOON AND VERY SOON, be subjected to everlasting flame and torment in Hell; specifically, that part of same reserved for ‘special’ cases like himself, Marc Dutroux, Andrea Yates, Susan Smith, Clifford Sleigh, Darlie Routier and Jared Fogle…and ALL OTHERS WHO HAVE HARMED CHILDREN FOR THEIR OWN SELFISH LUSTS. May Karen, Janet, their Mummy & Daddy and their grandparents rest in the arms (I hope) of the Lord.

  30. Chris

    I too believe that people like this should be put down. But I have a different twist to it. I do not think that their execution should be “civilized”. I believe that they should die the same way they murdered. This sorry animal should be raped for a week the same way that was done to those two innocent angels and then executed the same way. A long walk out into the woods raped again then shot while hopefully he is crying and begging for his life like the cowardly sniveling little bitch he is..

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Harsh as it sounds, I agree with you Chris. What Shearing did was the most despicable thing I’ve ever heard of. I’m not religious but I recall a Bible term… “Eye for an eye. Tooth for a tooth.”

    1. Aaron Lloyd.

      Notice that in Canada, it doesn’t matter if you kill one person or twenty five… you still only serve one sentence! And after 25 years they actually release you back into society! One murder or twenty five. Or twenty five thousand. It matters not to the parole board, since they believe with all their hearts that the evil person will be a ‘good boy’ from now on!
      Also during their 25 year stay in prison, the forces in control spend most of that time getting the ‘wolves’ ready for re-introduction back into the land of unsuspecting sheep! They actually take them out on ‘supervised day passes’ and allow them to freely mingle with the average yet unsuspecting law-abiding person! Just like they’ll be doing on their own when the fools let them go free. Not to mention, some of them have been known to escape during these so-called ‘supervised’ outings, only stalk and kill again before they are finally recaptured.
      It makes you wonder just what kind of minds are running the penal system up there. Their focus seems to be on rehabilitation instead of punishment, which couldn’t be further from the reality of the situation. Because after all, if the offender was worthy of rehabilitation (or even wanted it), he wouldn’t have committed such a heinous crime to begin with! But he does it because he likes it! It is in his nature as the human predator that he has allowed himself to willfully become to thirst for the high of raping and killing. Just as before. It all goes back to the Liberal’s misshapen belief that “there is no such thing as bad people. Only bad choices”. I mean, really… how blind can you possibly be!

      1. Garry Rodgers Post author

        Thanks for your comment, Aaron. I think you’re a little over the top with this as Canada does have legislation that allows consecutive sentencing for multiple crimes. Also, when a person is convicted for multiple murders, each separate count is registered as a separate offense. The fixed punishment for 1st and 2nd-degree murder is life imprisonment. The only negotiable factor is eligibility for parole. 1st-degree has a minimum time of 25 years before applying where 2nd-degree has an optional 10-year limit at the court’s discretion. This means for applying to get parole – it by no means says that the person will get paroled.

        You’re also confused about the difference between concurrent and consecutive sentencing. When a person is convicted of multiple murders, whether 1st or 2nd, the court can order the sentences be served concurrently, or all together, before being eligible for parole – or the person can be sentenced consecutively where one sentence has to be served entirely before the next one starts. So, in Canada, people do serve multiple life sentences and have absolutely no hope for ever applying for parole. This just recently happened in New Brunswick where 3 police officers were murdered.

        I also want to address your claim that all dangerous criminals get day passes that put the public at risk. This is also misinformed. Passes are tightly controlled and you can be certain that a guy like David Shearing would never get a day pass. What’s wrong with the Shearing case is that he was given a plea bargain to plead guilty to six counts of 2nd-degree murder because there was a concern about the admissibility of his confession. Shearing was then sentenced concurrently with parole eligibility set at 25 years. This allows him to apply for parole now that 25 years have passed. In reality, I don’t think Shearing will ever be paroled but I want to keep this case in the public eye.

        I also think you’re a bit off the wall with your perception about how liberal Canada is.

        1. mulvene

          Likely Aaron was thinking of Peter John Peters, who was given concurrent life sentences for killing two people and was stopped from killing a third (after savagely raping her). And yes, as Aaron said, the animal was given a DAY PASS. And Peters ESCAPED on that day pass. Nevertheless, Peters WAS eligible, as Aaron said, for parole at 25 years. I tried to find out when Peters will appear before the parole board again. Am I right that, eventually, he goes before the board every two years?? How DARE Canada put the victims’ families through that! Well, get ready, Canada. Like Ennis, Peters has changed his name. Looks like he’s getting ready for his release date–and his next victims. No sir, Aaron has not overstated the matter, judging by the Peters case. Are there others??

  31. Crystal

    There is so much more to this story and so much more to tell about the people involved. R.C (The informant..) as well as the involvement of David’s family. There were so many theories as to whether there was any one else involved floating around. He did not do this on his own.. unfortunately just about every one involved or that could possibly know is either dead, or close to death or David himself who is not talking…yes he is a monster.. it was horrific especially to those that knew him..to the town that never fully recovered.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      I’m not sure where you get the idea that Shearing had help in committing the JB murders, Crystal. The case facts are absolutely clear that he acted alone and that includes after the fact. Any suggestion otherwise is pure speculation.

      1. Bev

        Pretty much everyone knows he didn’t act alone. The police did not do their job. They just settled with David’s congressional in order to hide the embarrassment of their cross country adventure. And why was he never charged with the hit and run the ended in an innocent life as well? That one has always puzzled me.

        1. Garry Rodgers Post author

          Pretty much everyone knows Shearing didn’t act alone?? The police did not do their job?? These are the most ignorant statements anyone’s ever posted on my website.

  32. James

    I’ve just watched “crime stories” here in the UK, & this case was the subject of the programme. What a horrific tale. What a tragic waste of an ordinary family’s lives in such a wicked, evil manner.
    May they rest together in peace.
    The perpetrator must never be released. The law, and justice are two different things: legally, he has to be considered for parole, but for justice to be served for the lives that he took away, he must die in prison.
    He should have no comfort, noone to hold his hand, or wipe his brow, and leave this world a better place by his absence.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Thanks for commenting, James. I just downloaded the Crime Stories documentary. I’d never seen this production before and I know most of the actual investigators who are interviewed in the show. This is a very accurate portrayal of what happened in the Johnson-Bentley case and exactly what David Shearing did. Here’s the link if anyone would like to watch the 45 minute program:

      http://www.lectoro.com/index.php?action=search&ytq=Crime%20Stories%20%20%20The%20Wells%20Grey%20Gunman%20David%20Shearing

  33. Steven S

    Where do the proceeds from the Seventh Shadow book go? No one, especially those closely involved should profit from this family’s horriffic murder.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      The book was published in print form back in 1999 by Warwick Publishing and it looks like they’re no longer in business. It’s listed on Amazon as used only so it looks like there are no new prints books available, as well as no ebook. So it looks like no one’s profiting.

  34. Christopher Hall

    I would happily sign a petition to keep this thing locked away forever, he can ask his maker for compassion and forgiveness, he won’t get it from me. I just saw the story on the Justice Network. What he did is unforgivable. I sometimes think that capitol punishment is to easy of a way out for this kind of monster. Remaining alive, locked up in solitary confinement and experiencing the same horror daily that he put that innocent and trusting family and those poor children through does not seem unreasonable.

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Hi Christoper & thanks for a common sense comment. Shearing recently waived his parole application and won’t be eligible to apply for another five years. You can bet that if he does apply there will be another Change.org petition which I will gladly spearhead. What was the Justice Network story? Can you give me a link?

      1. Christopher Hall

        Garry, thank you for your continued efforts on this case. We receive The Justice Network from an over the air broadcaster locally. Here is the link to the web site.

        http://www.justicenetworktv.com/schedule/
        CRIME STORIES
        The Wells Grey Gunman
        In August of 1982, six members of the Bentley/Johnson family disappear in the Wells Grey National Park without a trace. Over a month later, the burned out Johnson vehicle is found with the remains of all six family members burnt beyond recognition inside. A massive manhunt for the killer begins, finally ending with a local man, David Shearing confessing to the crimes.

      2. Patricia O'Brien

        Thank you for your work in helping keep this monster in prison. We were from New Brunswick, living in Edmonton, AB when this happened. I remember driving by this park in 1983 with my two young daughters, on our way to Vancouver Island. I remember feeling sheer horror just being on the road that ran past the park, and knowing what had happened so close nearby. Meanwhile, reports of Clifford Olsen were being broadcast on the car radio. BC didn’t feel like a good place to be with children back in those days. This is the first time I’ve looked for information on how this crime was solved, only to find out it was as horrific as I always suspected it to have been. I only ever knew that it was an entire family with children involved. Makes you wonder how these killers can slip through the cracks for so many years and go left unchecked until they find a way to destroy the lives of others. Seems so unfair.

    2. Jane Triber

      I couldn’t agree more. I’ve just watched a documentary about the horrendous murders. Don’t ever let this man go free.

  35. Dave McMillan

    If my dog runs out of my yard and bites somebody, I would have it put down.
    The same thing should happen to murders .

  36. Lauren

    There’s truly nothing worse that could happen to a child, the girls must have known their parents & grandparents were dead and couldn’t protect them. Then to be helpless & hurt at the hands of this monster. Maybe some kidnapped kids could have some hope that mom & dad will come in like superheros to rescue them, these babies were deprived of even that. None of us can even imagine what they went thru physically & emotionally. I don’t believe in the death penalty just cause they’re found guilty in court, but when there is NO question outside of it why can we kill bedbugs, cockroaches & headlice that bother our kids but not monsters that kill them?

    1. Garry Rodgers Post author

      Thanks, Sue. I hope I never have to collect your signature but something tells me it’s less than a year away. What sucks is that the remaining members of the Johnson and Bentley families relive this horror with each parole application. If we had capital punishment in Canada, maybe they wouldn’t have to. Just sayin’.

      1. matzsquii daigneault

        I went to cleawater elementery school in 1971 with David. He was teased relentlessly about his nose. This is not an excuse for what he did, but the minumum amount of time has passed, and now it’s time for compassion and forgiveness for this man.
        To prove my truthfulness about my story, I had a teacher named Mrs. Lundquist, Mrs.Liebee, and the principle was named Mr. Braun.

        1. Steven S

          Wow, I cannot believe you would suggest sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of this Serial Murderer/Rapist! Something is seriously wrong with you. I was teased relentlessly in school for being skinny as a rail and a bedwetter but I have never had the urge to randomly murder, rob, rape and kidnap. I suggest you visit the surviving family and pour out your compassion upon them. I wonder if you would feel the same if that were your family/chldren that were murdered/raped. Unbelieveable!!!

      2. Sue canga

        Where do I sign up to keep this evil behind bars? Please email the place to sign up. I don’t go to different websites. It’s just that I saw the show on TV today and searched to see if he got out and saw the request about asking others to sign up so I am here to support keeping evil behind bars.

        1. Garry Rodgers Post author

          There was a petition circulating a few years ago when Shearing/Ennes applied for parole but there’s nothing current. If he does apply again, I’ll certainly be helping to organize another petition. Thanks for your comment, Sue.

    2. Brenda

      I wish that people would stop comparing this depraved Monster to an animal…Animals are innocent creatures who kill only for food or survival…& they would never rape or torture their prey……this piece of shit should have been exterminated …. there is no rehabilitation for the likes of this horrific murderous pedophile.

Comments are closed.