Susan Klassen

WHITEHORSE, YUKON

36-year old Susan Klassen had only lived in Whitehorse for a few years, but she made a considerable impact on the local community as a renowned modern storyteller with the Yukon International Storytelling Festival. Susan’s murder—and the public outrage that followed—was named the #1 story in the Yukon for 1997. 

“Throughout her life, she deeply touched the lives and hearts of many. Along with her love of nature, one of Susan’s greatest joys was to share her talent of storytelling.”
- Obituary

This episode is about an important case that became a watershed moment for the local community in Whitehorse, Yukon, and across the country.  We’ve pieced it together from court documents and the news archives, most notably the reporting of Caroline Murray and Yvette Brend for the Whitehorse Daily Star. Our sincere condolences to Susan Klassen’s loved ones and anyone else affected by this crime.

If you or a loved one is experiencing family violence, help and resources are available. 
Support Services - Canadian Women's Foundation
Find family violence resources and services in your area - Canada.ca

This month, Canadian True Crime has donated to Kaushee’s Place; a transition home for women and gender diverse people experiencing violence in the Yukon.

Credits:

Script Consultant: Carol Weinberg
Audio Editor, Voice of Disclaimer: Erik Krosby 
Senior Producer: Lindsay Eldridge
Researcher, Writer, Narrator, Sound Design: Kristi Lee
Theme songs: We Talk of Dreams
All other music from Epidemic Sound and Blue Dot Sessions

Sources

Court documents:

• 1997 CanLII 4705 (YK CA) | R. v. Klassen | CanLII

• Evidence - JURI (36-1) - No. 82 - House of Commons of Canada (ourcommons.ca)
  
  

News archives:

Collection of articles published by the Whitehorse Daily Star, notably by Caroline Murray. Sourced via newspapers.com.

Collection of articles published by the Edmonton Journal, Sourced via newspapers.com.

Other online articles:

• Whitehorse Daily Star: Klassen appeal dismissed (whitehorsestar.com)

• https://www.whitehorsestar.com/History/klassen-gets-five-years-for-manslaughter    

• https://www.whitehorsestar.com/History/susan-klassen-was-strangled  

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/killer-asking-for-parole-1.175906 

• Murder victim's sister wants provocation defence eliminated (cbc.ca)

• Whitehorse Daily Star: Late victim’s sister glad killer has died (whitehorsestar.com) 

• Release of killer upsets victim's family - The Globe and Mail

• Highlights of History from The Whitehorse Star, 1990-1999 (explorenorth.com)
  
  

Legal sources:

• Introduction | Equality and the Defence of Provocation: Irreconcilable Differences | CanLII

• 2.6 Introducing fresh or new evidence | Court of Appeal BC

• Court of Appeal Rules (gov.bc.ca)

• Supreme Court of Canada rejects Crown appeal over provocation defence | Vancouver Sun

• Canadian Criminal Code - provocation 
  
  

Femicide and intimate partner violence:

• https://canadianwomen.org/the-facts/gender-based-violence/ 

• https://femicideincanada.ca/callitfemicide2018-2022.pdf

• https://femicideincanada.ca/ 

• https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2013001/article/11805/11805-3-eng.htm 

• https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-570-x/85-570-x2006001-eng.htm 

• Why strangulation in domestic violence is a huge red flag - The Shelter for Abused Women & Children (naplesshelter.org)

• The Most Critical Red Flag of Domestic Violence | Psychology Today Canada

• Nonfatal Strangulation as Part of Domestic Violence: A Review of Research - Adam J. Pritchard, Amy Reckdenwald, Chelsea Nordham, 2017 (sagepub.com)

• Signs of the Cycle of Abuse: 4 Stages (psychcentral.com)

• In domestic abuse, choking is a 'hidden' predictor of femicide, experts say | CBC News
  
  

Obituaries:

• https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/sands-colwood/obituaries/ralph-klassen/66143.html 

• https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/brendan-burke-obituary?id=44400100

• https://memorieschapel.com/book-of-memories/2031398/klassen-jake/obituary.php