Jury finds Tyler Hikoalok guilty of first-degree murder
Cambridge Bay man was charged in 2018 death of Elisabeth Salm, 59, in Ottawa; verdict delivered mid-afternoon Sunday
Tyler Hikoalok was found guilty of first-degree murder Sunday in the 2018 death of Elisabeth Salm in Ottawa. (Courtroom sketch by Lauren Foster-MacLeod)
A jury has found Tyler Hikoalok, 22, of Cambridge Bay, guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Elisabeth Salm in Ottawa four years ago.
The jury delivered its verdict mid-afternoon Sunday, after beginning their deliberations Friday.
Salm, 59, was found severely injured on the floor at the Christian Science Reading Room in downtown Ottawa on May 24, 2018. She died the next day and Hikoalok, who was 18 at the time, was charged two days later with first-degree murder.
During the six-week trial, Crown lawyers presented evidence showing video footage as well as DNA found on Salm’s body tied Hikoalok to the crime scene.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Out of respect for the families involved, please do not allow commenting.
Surely the family has been hurt enough.
May Mrs Salm rest in peace.
Thank you jury, for making the correct decision. Judge, please don’t let us down – keep this dangerous man locked up for as long as possible. He’s had a sad life, but we need to be safe from him, and he is safer from himself too if locked up.
First degree murder has an automatic life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years. Assuming they use the “time and a half” bit for pre-conviction detainment, that puts the minimum at 19 years before parole eligibility.
When sentenced to first degree murder all time spent on remand counts as nothing :), The 25 year sentence starts today.
I am so relieved at this verdict. I send my deepest condolences to the family of Ms.Salm for their irreversible loss and for the trauma of this trial. I also grieve for the murderer’s family as it’s hard to love someone who caused so much pain and grief. Evil has a human face, indeed.
Sad how this case was a mere blip on the radar for our legacy media corps, due to the optics and not wanting to go against the grain or ruffle any feathers, so to speak.
Great job reporting this case in depth, NN.