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‘Going to be alone’: Daughter tells of B.C. murder suspect’s message as mom vanished
The daughter said her father left a Russian voicemail and told jurors their relationship had become toxic after the 2021 separation.
On Tuesday, Crown prosecutor Rigel Tessmann told the B.C. Supreme Court jury that Vitali Stefanski admitted to police, "Yes, I have killed her," after emerging shoeless near Mabel Lake on April 14, 2024.
Tatjana Stefanski disappeared from her Lumby home on April 13, 2024, after Stefanski allegedly visited the property and gave their son a suitcase containing personal belongings before she was last seen walking up the driveway.
Testifying on Wednesday, 18-year-old Selina Martin described receiving a Russian voicemail from Vitali stating her mother had "destroyed our lives" and that she and her brother would "be alone."
A bloodied knife found near the crime scene contained DNA from both the accused and Tatjana, who suffered 21 sharp-force wounds, including seven fatal stab wounds to her chest.
The five-week trial was moved to Kamloops from Vernon to ensure the accused had access to his laptop for daily disclosure; Stefanski has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.