The man convicted of the 2020 murder of Meg Kruger has been handed a life sentence with no chance of parole for 13 years.

James Colosimo learned his sentence on May 3 in a packed courtroom at the Hay River Courthouse, according to

The facts of the case told of how Colosimo met Kruger through work and they briefly dated. Kruger had planned to end their relationship for good, but Colosimo brought a knife with him on the evening of Sept. 9 and used it to kill her at a residence on McBryan Drive. Kruger was 18 years old at the time, while Colosimo was in his 30s.

Colosimo also had alcohol and a number of drugs in his system at the time. He claimed that someone, or something, had told him to kill Kruger. He was apprehended shortly after officers arrived at the scene Sept. 9.

Colosimo was originally charged with first-degree murder, but that was reduced to second-degree in 2021. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge. Justice Shannon Smallwood accepted a joint submission from the Crown and ColosimoSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s defence counsel that he serve at least 13 years behind bars before being considered for parole.

During the two-day sentencing hearing, many of KrugerSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s family and friends gave victim impact statements outlining how they had lived in fear and with grief since the murder.

In addressing KrugerSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s family, Smallwood said a prison sentence canSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™t make up for their loss, nor can the court undo ColosimoSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s harm. She also said she hopes his sentencing will help the family move forward.