John Wendell Keyler, killer of Sarah Foord, dead in prison at 40

TAYLOR, B.C. — The man behind a 2020 manslaughter in Taylor has died in prison.

According to a press release from Correctional Service Canada (CSC), John Wendell Keyler died on October 23rd, 2025 while serving a sentence at Kent Institute, a correctional facility located in the lower mainland community of Agazziz, B.C. He was 40 years old.

Keyler was arrested in July 2020 after confessing to killing his girlfriend, Sarah Foord, in Taylor a few weeks prior.

Based on his confession, Keyler stabbed Foord several times before putting her body into a garbage can that he then loaded into his car. He drove to a gas well near Buick Creek and buried her body.

Initially, Keyler was charged with second-degree murder and indignity to human remains. While the latter charge stuck, the former was ultimately downgraded to manslaughter by the time of his conviction in January 2023.

The judge presiding over the case claimed to doubt that Keyler understood the consequences of his actions when he killed Foord, since he was extremely intoxicated with both alcohol and cocaine at the time.

On December 12th, 2024, Keyler was sentenced to 11 years of imprisonment for manslaughter and two years of imprisonment for indignity to human remains, to be served concurrently. 

However, according to CSC, Keyler was serving a sentence of four years, 10 months and 29 days that began on December 12th, 2024 at the time of his death.

Energeticcity.ca has contacted the BC Prosecution Service for clarification regarding the specifics of Keyler’s sentencing, and will update this story with new information as it becomes available.

His next of kin have reportedly been notified. No details regarding the cause of death have been revealed. 

In accordance with CSC’s standard policy, the agency says it will review the circumstances surrounding Keyler’s death and notify both police and the B.C. Coroners Service.