'He had no remorse on what he did. I just felt like if he did live, he would still be bugging me and stalking me,' Vanessa Burns said. (Submitted/Vanessa Burns)

By CKOM News

INQUEST

Myles Sanderson’s former partner says JSCN killer ‘had no remorse’

Feb 29, 2024 | 8:06 AM

Myles Sanderson’s former common-law partner Vanessa Burns had some strong words about him after watching a video of his arrest at the inquest into his death.

Sanderson, who killed 11 people and injured another 17 others on the James Smith Cree Nation on Sept. 4, 2022, died three days later, shortly after he was arrested by the RCMP.

According to a pathologist and toxicologist testifying at the Saskatoon inquest, Sanderson had ingested more than 10 times the normal fatal dose of cocaine.

Burns, who also testified at the first inquest in Melfort, said Sanderson was an abuser who physically abused her and their children and emotionally manipulated her.

On Wednesday, she said she felt a variety of emotions — including relief — as she watched the video of his arrest.

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Vanessa Burns speaks to reporters at the Saskatoon Inn, where the inquiry into the death of her former common-law partner Myles Sanderson is taking place. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)

“He had no remorse on what he did. I just felt like if he did live, he would still be bugging me and stalking me,” she said.

It was initially difficult for Burns to believe that Sanderson had been stopped and arrested by police.

“I was still scared: ‘Are you sure they have him?’ So some friends showed me pictures,” she recalled.

She also wondered how Sanderson died, but she wasn’t surprised when she found out how it happened.

“I know he’s like that, but it was hurtful at the same time … He’s a very hateful person,” she said.

“Just him showing no remorse shows that he just didn’t care what he did. So why should I have remorse for him?” Burns asked. “He attacked my family and he didn’t care that he hurt us and he hurt his children.”

Burns, whose father was killed by Sanderson and whose mother was also injured, said she hopes for change.

“Even just people like me … (need) more supports for domestic (violence) survivors … Maybe we can try to crack the code on how to break domestic violence somehow,” she pondered.

She also said she reaches out for help not just for herself, but also for her children. She said she hopes to have a good career in the future, and a stable family home.

“Hopefully we’re a lot better than where we are right now,” Burns said.

The inquest continues on Thursday, with more witnesses expected to testify.