NANAIMO — A BC Supreme Court trial is expected in the case of a local woman accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend.
A provincial court judge ordered Paris Jayanne Laroche, 27, to stand trial following a two-day preliminary inquiry this week in Nanaimo.
She’s charged with first degree murder and indecent handling of the remains of Sidney Joseph Mantee, 32 years old.
Laroche elected for her case to be tried by a judge and jury.
She has not entered pleas to the charges and isn’t obligated to do so until she’s before a jury, the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) confirmed.
Publication bans prevent details of this week’s proceedings, as well as the contents of a bail hearing last summer in which Laroche was denied an interim release, from being released.
Laroche was arrested on March 9, 2022 without incident and charges were approved the same day by the BCPS.
It’s alleged Mantee was murdered about a year prior to Laroche’s arrest.
Detailed searches occurred at several locations in Nanaimo for Sidney Mantee in 2021 when police believed he had met foul play. (Submitted photo)Mantee was the source of a historical missing persons investigation in which Nanaimo RCMP suspected foul play was involved.
In May 2021, Nanaimo RCMP revealed investigators conducted multiple searches around the city to advance their investigation.
Searches also included the Rosehill St. apartment where Laroche and Mantee lived together.
Laroche is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 13, however it’s unclear when her trial will proceed.
She’s represented by high profile Vancouver based defence attorney Glen Orris.
Laroche, who remains in custody at a Lower Mainland facility, has no prior criminal record.
None of the allegations against Laroche have been proven in court.
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