For the second time, a British Columbia man convicted of murdering his teenage girlfriend nearly two decades ago has been refused release from prison. The Parole Board of Canada has determined that Brian Kenneth Widman, now 40, continues to present an unacceptable danger to the public.
A Tragic Crime and a Life Sentence
The case dates back to June 2006, when the life of 15-year-old Lorna Ulmer-Billy was brutally cut short. Her body was discovered in a Coquitlam apartment. Widman, who was 21 at the time and in a relationship with the underage victim, admitted to strangling her to death.
He was subsequently convicted of second-degree murder and received a mandatory life sentence. The court ordered that he must serve at least 10 years before being eligible to apply for parole.
Parole Board Cites Ongoing Risk and Violent Incidents
During a hearing on December 3, 2025, the board reviewed Widman's case for day parole, full parole, or unescorted temporary releases. This followed an earlier unsuccessful parole application in 2021.
While acknowledging that Widman has made some progress by completing vocational courses and attending programs for anger and control issues, the board's decision was unequivocal. Officials stated he still poses too great a risk to society for any form of release.
A significant factor in the denial was a violent attack in 2022 where Widman assaulted a fellow inmate, resulting in a fractured orbital bone and a separated shoulder. This incident demonstrated that his propensity for sudden violence remains high.
A History of Control and Abuse
The parole board's written decision outlines a troubled background and a pattern of abuse in the relationship leading to the murder. Widman experienced emotional and physical abuse in his childhood home and was bullied at school.
His relationship with Ulmer-Billy was described as "rocky." He had choked her on previous occasions and, during one argument about her desire to have an abortion, held a knife to her stomach.
Case workers reported that although Widman has improved at managing some stressful situations, his ability to handle intimate relationships remains deeply problematic. His plan for release, which included living in a halfway house on Vancouver Island and working as a tattoo artist, fell through when facilities refused to accept him.
The victim's family submitted a statement expressing their enduring fear that Widman would harm someone else if released. The Parole Board of Canada, in its latest ruling, has ensured he remains behind bars, affirming that public safety must come first.
