A young man, aged 20, has admitted guilt to the brutal killing of four children, their mother, and a close family acquaintance through a mass stabbing incident in Ottawa. The perpetrator, Febrio De Zoysa, also acknowledged responsibility for attempting to murder the father of the family, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, who sustained severe injuries.
During the tragic event on March 6, 2024, De Zoysa, then a 19-year-old international student residing in the Wickramasinghes’ basement in Ottawa’s Barrhaven neighborhood, was taken into custody without resistance. Subsequently, he was charged with six counts of first-degree murder.
In a court appearance in Ottawa, De Zoysa, accompanied by his lawyer Ewan Lyttle, pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of four victims: Ranaya Wickramasinghe, Ashwini Wickramasinghe, Inuka Wickramasinghe, and Gamini Amarakoon. The sentences for these murders mandate life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for 25 years.
Regarding the remaining two victims, Darshani Ekanayake and her infant, Kelly Wickramasinghe, De Zoysa admitted to the lesser charge of second-degree murder. This plea reduction is a common occurrence in plea agreements.
The heartbreaking murders, described by Ottawa’s mayor as one of the most shocking acts of violence in the city’s history, garnered national attention and captivated the media in Sri Lanka. The Wickramasinghes and Amarakoon, except for the baby, were newcomers to Canada from Sri Lanka, as was De Zoysa.
During police questioning post-arrest, De Zoysa revealed that financial troubles and immigration fears motivated him to carry out the heinous act. He expressed frustration with societal norms and personal weaknesses, leading to the tragic event.
The court proceedings unveiled the sequence of events on the day of the killings, highlighting the devastating impact on the victims’ families. Emotional victim impact statements underscored the profound loss and ongoing trauma experienced by the loved ones left behind.
In a poignant moment, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, the lone survivor of the tragedy, expressed gratitude for the support he received and pledged to continue his charitable efforts in honor of his deceased family. The sentencing concluded with De Zoysa expressing remorse for his actions, acknowledging the irreversible damage caused by the horrific crime.