27-Year-Old Mom Who Killed 2 Young Sons Following Husband’s Death from Cancer Sentenced to Life By Kimberlee Speakman

A woman in Canada, who pleaded guilty to killing her two sons in 2023, was sentenced to life in prison.

Vanessa Collias, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto on Monday, Nov. 17, according to CBC News, Global News and The Toronto Star.

She was sentenced to life in prison without a chance of parole for 18 years after admitting to killing 4-year-old Dimitri Collias and 5-year-old Yiannis Collias, according to the outlets. 

PEOPLE has reached out to the Ontario Court of Justice for comment but didn’t immediately receive a response.

During her virtual court appearance on Nov. 17, an emotional Collias read out a lengthy statement admitting to the crime, saying, per Global News, “I want to start off by apologizing to everyone my actions hurt and to the people I have let down.”

“A part of me wonders why I never said I needed help. I stand in front of you a broken person. I wonder if I’m damaged beyond repair because I feel life has shattered my hopes and dreams. To my babies, I love you more than anything, Thank you for showing me what true love is,” she added.

The incident happened December 10, 2023, according to a press release from the Toronto Police Service. They said that a woman — later identified to be Collias — was found injured on the ground outside of an apartment building after falling from her balcony. 

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When police entered her home, they found her two children with “no vital signs.” They were transported to the hospital, where they were “both pronounced deceased.” Collias was initially charged with two counts of first-degree Murder.

However, the charge was downgraded after a forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Sumeeta Chatterjee, determined that Collias was suffering from “an adjustment disorder,” after her 72-year-old husband, Costa Collias, died of leukemia on Dec. 1, 2023, per CBC.

The psychiatrist said in court Collias was “broken” and “absolutely alone” after her husband’s death and “the only thing she wanted was for the family to be reunited.” However, the diagnosis did not exempt her from being held criminally responsible for her sons’ deaths. 

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According to a statement of facts heard in court, per CBC, after Collias had attempted to die by suicide, she was left paraplegic. She reportedly left notes for police, laid out her sons’ funeral clothing next to a picture of their deceased father, and a cross that was placed beside their bodies.

Collias told the court that she had been a “round-the-clock caregiver” to her husband before his death and was “exhausted, running on fumes, trying to be okay.” She said on Dec. 10 she “hit a wall and couldn’t push no more,” per Global News.

The Crown and defense recommended in Ontario Superior Court of Justice that Collias serve 18 years in prison before being eligible for parole, which was accepted by the superior court justice.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.