A Calgary jury has come back with a guilty verdict for three people accused of first-degree murder in the death of Ryan Lane in 2012.
Lane was last seen on February 7 and his remains were found near Beiseker about four months later.
The 24-year-old father disappeared after he was contacted by someone who claimed they could help with an ongoing custody dispute.
Sheena Cuthill, Tim Rempel and Will Rempel were charged with first-degree murder in connection to Lane’s death and all pleaded not guilty in a Calgary court.
During the trial, Tim Rempel testified that he met up with Lane to encourage him to walk away from the custody battle and that the discussion became heated. Rempel says Lane shoved him so he hit him back, leaving him with a bloody nose. Rempel told the court that he and his brother, Will, drove away in their own vehicles and that Lane was alone and alive when they left him.
On Monday, lawyers for both sides presented closing arguments and the jury was charged in the case.
The jury found all three of the accused guilty of first-degree murder on Tuesday afternoon after 14 hours of deliberation.
The Rempel brothers were also found guilty of kidnapping and showed no emotion as the verdict was read.
The friends and family of Ryan Lane were in court for the verdict and were relieved by the decision.
A first-degree murder conviction comes with an automatic life sentence with no parole for 25 years.
The trio will be sentenced on Friday.
(With files from Ina Sidhu)
