Shane Babitsch has been sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter and indignity to human remains in connection with the January 2014 death of 26-year old Courtney Johnstone. Then 21-year old Babitsch had hired Johnstone to carry out a rape fantasy that involved him choking her from behind. After he had finished, he noticed she was no longer breathing.
In making a decision on sentencing, the judge noted that Babitsch didn’t call for medical help, and instead wrapped her body up in a sheet and threw it into a dumpster. He also took the money he was going to pay her and kept some of her clothing items.
Johnstone’s remains were found in the Aquatera landfill on February 15th, although a cause of death was never determined. Her injuries were consistent with compaction in both a truck and the landfill itself, and traces of cocaine,meth and alcohol were found in her system.
It was noted that while the court was spared a trial by his guilty pleas, Babitsch showed an apparent lack of empathy towards the victim, even posting on Facebook soon after the incident. He was sentenced to five years for the first count of manslaughter and a year for indignity to remains, which will be served consecutively. Babitsch was given 13.5 months credit for time served.