‘A ray of light in the midst of darkness’: Kelowna woman sentenced to fatal stabbing

A courtroom in Kelowna on Nov. 22 was packed with supporters of a woman set to be sentenced for stabbing her common-law partner in 2020. Nearly four years after the deadly incident in Kelowna’s Black Mountain neighborhood of Marlena Isnardy, the 36-year-old man was sentenced to two years in prison after previously pleading guilty to the involuntary death of Matthew Cholette.

Isnardy and Cholette were common-law partners and were living with their two young children at the time of the incident.

“There was an unstable relationship between them,” Judge Milman said as he delivered the sentencing decision to the Kelowna courtroom on Nov. 22.

He told the court that both Isnardy and Cholette struggled with substance abuse and were violent towards each other. There was an order prohibiting Cholette from contacting Isnardy due to the ongoing “toxic relationship” that included physical abuse.

However, on the night of December 13, 2020, Isnardy left his home to drink alcohol with neighbors. While he was out of the house, he began texting Cholette about substance abuse and childcare, and a fight broke out between the two. When Isnardy returned home, Cholette was allegedly at the home located just off Highway 33, and a physical altercation broke out.

According to video evidence and witness testimony presented to Judge Milman, Isnardy told Cholette to leave and she refused. Cholette hit, punched and pulled Isnardy’s hair while she was holding one of her children. He also allegedly pushed her down the stairs in his home. Later, as he left the house and put on his boots, Isnardy stabbed him in the back.

An ambulance was called and both Isnardy and neighbors attempted to help Cholette before she died.

Isnardy told the court he was deeply remorseful for his actions and used the traumatic night to make positive changes for himself, his children and his community.

Judge Milman said since Cholette’s death Isnardy had been able to make significant progress towards a better life.

“He managed to shine rays of light in the midst of darkness,” Judge Milman said.

She told the court Isnardy was an Indigenous woman who survived intergenerational trauma and was motivated to stop the cycle of trauma for her children.

Isnardy’s parents and grandparents are boarding school survivors. Isnardy suffered sexual, physical and emotional abuse throughout his childhood. Since the night of the incident, Isnardy has vowed to make positive changes for herself, her children and others in her community.

“She wants to protect her children from the darkness that has surrounded her family,” Judge Milman said.

He said Isnardy has been sober and gainfully employed since the incident. She is raising her two children and participating in cultural and community programs to reconnect with her culture and help others.

“He is an inspiration to others,” Judge Milman said after reading numerous letters of support for Isnardy from colleagues and friends.

Although he was not charged the night of the incident, Isnardy was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in February 2022, nearly two years later.

He was released on bail two months later and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in April 2022.

The woman was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.