Winnipeg Free Press

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024 Romance becomes latest arena for fraud DEAN PRITCHARD AUNTED by the abuse he H suffered at the hands of his trusted high school football coach, a Winnipeg man took his own life before Kelsey McKay could be held responsible for his crimes. ‘Ina Winnipeg courtroom Tuesday, a judge heard the devastating effect. ‘MeKay’s abuse had on the man, in his own voice and words. “He has absolutely destroyed parts of my life that Iwill never get back,” the man said in a police video state- ‘ment recorded in late April 2022, two weeks after several other victims told police they had been sexually abused by their former coach. ‘The man said he had constant thoughts of suicide and abused aleo- hol and fentanyl as a means to cope with his pain. “1 OD‘ six times last year,” the ‘man told police. “I was in a real bad place.” ‘The man said it took him 18 years to talk about what McKay had done to him, time during which McKay re- ‘mained free to offend against other children “There were so many other people, that’s what really gets to me,” he told investigators. “I fee! I could have done so much more... I'm sorry it ‘took me so long to say something.” Asked what he would tell McKay, if given the opportunity, the man urged ‘McKay to seek help. “T don't hate you, I hate what you did? the man said. “You are a good person, you have shown it, but you Former Winnipeg high school coach Kelsey McKay (left leaves the Woodsworth Building with is union representative fora break from his sentencing hearing on Tuesday. Crown seeks 25-year term for man who groomed, molested players ‘He has destroyed parts of my life’ can be a very bad person too. What you did is absolutely unforgivable and sickening. There is no way any- body is going to heal from this, the way you conducted yourself. But I hope you get the help that you need.” ‘The man committed suicide less than three months later. ‘An agreed statement of facts read in court said the man took his own life after being contacted by media. “cThe victim), experiencing significant guilt and shame, became extremely paranoid about his name being publicly leaked. He also be- came preoccupied about the thought of having to see McKay in court and sharing his experiences. (He) had constant nightmares about McKay going free. He shut down, became suicidal and stopped going to work,” the statement read. “T'm devastated that my brother is gone,” the man’s sister told court ‘Tuesday. “It's devastating that some- ‘one in a caring profession could do something so horrible.” ‘The man’s mother described her son as a “shining star” who had been groomed by a man he thought he could trust. Rumours circulated about McKay's behaviour, “but noth- ing ever came of them.” “He could have been stopped years ago,” the woman said. ‘McKay, 53, sat beside his lawyers and did not look at the woman, other victims or victims’ family members as they addressed court. (@ MCKAY, CONTINUED ON A2 av o: & Cupid's arrow weapon of choice TYLER SEARLE LONELINESS made him do it ‘A farmer says prolonged isolation, coupled with his kind-hearted nature, ‘made him fall victim to scammers who posed as potential lovers on four ‘occasions in the last decade. “It would be very important to me (to find an intimate partner). I live on the farm in this big house all alone and it’s very lonely... all Ido is have supper, watch TV and go to bed; nobody to talk to,” said Mike, who didn't want his last name used. ‘The 61-year-old Saskatchewan man is among a growing number of people targeted by sophisticated “romance scams,” in which criminals adopt fake identities to gain a victim's affection and trust so they can ask for money. ‘The Winnipeg Police Service and local matchmaker are holding a seminar this weekend to alert people to online dating scams. Mike admitted he shelled out a total ‘of $60,000. The perpetrators included people he knew and anonymous fraud- sters he met on the internet. Inthe last year, he was taken for roughly $7,000 by someone who claimed to be a widowed mother from Salt Lake City, Utah. She convinced hhim to pay for her daughter’s med- ical expenses and in exchange, she promised to move to Canada to pursue aromantic relationship with him, Mike said Despite the knowledge the relation- ship is likely not on the up-and-up, ‘Mike continues to communicate with the person online. t's something Win- nipeg matchmaker Lianne Tregobov said is not uncommon. “These are experts who have learned the art of manipulating vulnerable people's hearts,” said Tregobov, who is working with Mike to help him break the habit of falling for fraudulent flames. (@ ROMANCE, CONTINUED ONA2 Former PM Mulroney lies in state as dignitaries, public pay tribute SARAH RITCHIE OTTAWA —A solemn parade of dignitaries and members of the public offered condolences Tuesday to the family of Brian Mulroney as the former prime minister began lying in state near Parliament Hill ‘An RCMP guard of honour gingerly delivered Mulroney's flag-shrouded casket to the ballroom at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building, where it will remain until Wednesday afternoon. Mulroney's family —his wife Mila and their children Caroline, Ben, Nick and Mark, along with Mark’s wife Va- nessa and Caroline's husband Andrew Lapham — formed a receiving line and greeted people for hours. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and her husband, Whit Fraser, were the first to pay their respects, followed by Prime wut 76639! 10001 Minister Justin Trudeau. Dignitaries signed books of condo- ences as Mulroney's official portrait, framed by an elaborate display of flow- ers, was placed nearby. By mid-morn- ing, additional books were rolled out into the lobby and pens were running out of ink. Mulroney, who was prime minister for nine years from 1984 to 1993, died Feb. 29 in a Florida hospital. He was &. ‘Tributes poured in from around the world after his death. Ottawa resident Kim Ross made her way to Wellington Street early to se- cure a place in line to pay her respects and was surprised to find she was among the first to arrive. “T think he was a visionary in a lot of ways,” Ross said, referencing Mulroney's efforts to secure a treaty to control acid rain pollution. ‘About two dozen people braved the damp cold for nearly two hours before they were allowed inside. Joining the short lineup at midday were Peter MacArthur and Bob Peck, both former diplomats who said Mul- roney had a knack for finding consen- sus with his opponents. “I think that’s something that’s very sadly lacking in Canadian public life today,” Peck said, adding that he felt emotional to be paying his respects to a great man. “Politicians in the ’80s, particularly Brian Mulroney, had ambitious vision’ Macarthur said. “They wanted to achieve things, and they had an agen- da. Today there's too much disruptive division instead of vision.” (@ MULRONEY, CONTINUED ON A2 Ben Mulroney touches the casket of his father, former prime minister Brian Mulroney, ashe liesin state atthe Sir John A. Macdonald Bui ing across from Parliament Hillin Ottawa. TODAY'S WEATHER PARTLY SUNNY. HIGH -10 — LOW -22 > CITY _ SEEDY HOTEL'S TURNAROUND DRAMATIC / B1 ;