Kelly Lake killer sentenced to life in prison with parole after 10 years

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The man responsible for the 2019 killing of Owen Cardinal has been officially sentenced to life in prison with parole after 10 years.

Morgen Lambert-Bouma was sentenced for second-degree murder on May 16th at the Dawson Creek Provincial and Supreme Court.

He will also have a mandatory DNA submission under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Multiple factors were taken into account, including Lambert-Bouma’s criminal history starting in 2011 when he was a youth, drug abuse, his mental health, his childhood upbringing and more.

Lambert-Bouma was 25 years old when he was arrested on August 16th, 2019, after calling 911 and reporting he had killed Cardinal and was looking to surrender. 

“He made no efforts to hide or conceal evidence and he remained close to the scene and waited for police to arrive,” the judge said.

Lambert-Bouma impulsively stabbed the 54-year-old 20 times in an unjustified act of paranoia, with the judge describing the crime as “extremely violent and brutal.”

He was also under the influence of methamphetamine and other medical drugs at the time of the murder. 

Now 30 years old, Lambert-Bouma was found guilty in September 2024 after failing to prove he was not responsible for his actions due to a mental disorder. 

The Crown prosecution argued at the sentencing hearing on May 15th for life imprisonment with parole eligibility in 13 years, with case reports and victim impact statements from Cardinal’s family read.

The judge acknowledged the crime had a profound, far-reaching and devastating impact on the family.

Lambert-Bouma’s trial was previously adjourned in March 2024.