A woman convicted in the violent death of a Riverview teen has reached her statutory release date, corrections officials are not confirming whether Marissa Shephard has been officially released.
According to documents from the Parole Board of Canada, obtained by our newsroom, assessments were done to determine her risk of reoffending.
Shephard’s static and dynamic factors were rated as high with a score of 17 on the Criminal Risk Index (CRI). Research found that 16 per cent of women federal offenders in this category (range: 14-18) committed an offence within three years of release.
A psychological risk assessment was completed in November 2022 and the psychologist rated her risk of reoffending in general as “moderate” and her risk to reoffend violently on day parole as “low-moderate.”
A psychologist recommended that Shephard continue to engage in therapy and psychiatric services, develop a strong pro-social support network, further her education, connect with the elder, and attend Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and/or and addictions counselling.
The document also said that Shephard has taken part in a canine program and plans for statutory release include engaging in recommended interventions, maintaining employment, and upgrading her education in the canine field. She also identified supports in the community as family members and her fiancée.
Other strict conditions also being imposed include having no contact with the victim’s family, no consumption of drugs or alcohol, and following a treatment plan/program to be arranged by her parole supervisor in the areas of substance abuse and mental health.
Shephard will also have to reside in a community-based residential facility or psychiatric facility approved by the Correctional Service of Canada, where she must return each night. Two facilities indicated they were willing to accept her but local police in those two regions were not supportive.
Shephard was convicted in 2018 of first-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Baylee Wylie of Riverview, who was tortured and then burned in a Moncton home in an attempt to hide his body. During an appeal of her convictions in 2021, Shephard pleaded guilty to manslaughter and arson.
Two others remain behind bars in connection with Wylie’s death.
