B.C. Man Sentenced to Life for Killing Wife and Son at Tsay Keh Dene Reserve

Lucas Tremblay

6/18/20262 min read

A Tsay Keh Dene man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to fatally shooting his wife and son at the First Nation’s reserve in northern British Columbia.

Orlan Marcel Dennis, 46, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of his wife, Darlene Dennis, and their 18-year-old son, Dorian Dennis.

The killings occurred on April 9, 2024, and were followed by a lengthy police standoff in the remote community of Tsay Keh Dene, about 360 kilometres north of Prince George at the northern end of Williston Lake.

Orlan will not be eligible to apply for parole for 10 years.

Argument Preceded Fatal Shootings

According to the sentencing decision, Orlan and Darlene began arguing shortly after 10 p.m. on the night of the killings.

During the dispute, Orlan accused his wife of having an affair. He then retrieved a rifle and shot her.

The court heard that Dorian ran upstairs after hearing the gunshot that killed his mother. Orlan then shot his son.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Simon Coval heard victim impact statements from relatives describing the profound effects the killings have had on the family.

Darlene was remembered as her daughter’s strong and loving protector and teacher, while Dorian was described as a deeply loved son, brother and nephew.

Coval wrote that family members had suffered devastating harm to their physical and mental health, personal relationships, employment and hopes for the future.

Life Sentence Automatic After Guilty Pleas

A conviction for second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence.

Coval accepted a joint recommendation from Crown and defence lawyers that Orlan should be ineligible for parole for 10 years.

The judge considered several mitigating circumstances, including Orlan’s guilty pleas, expressions of remorse and personal history.

The decision noted that both of his parents were residential school survivors and that he grew up in poverty in a remote environment affected by violence and substance abuse.

Orlan expressed sorrow for the killings and told the court he hoped he might one day reconcile with some members of his family.

The Tsay Keh Dene First Nation banished him from the community after the deaths. The nation had a registered population of just over 520 people as of May.

In addition to the life sentence, Orlan was ordered to provide a DNA sample and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

Police Standoff Lasted Several Hours

Following the shootings, Orlan remained inside a house and refused to surrender for several hours.

Police eventually fired tear gas into the residence during the standoff. Orlan was shot in the hip and arm before being taken into custody.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. reviewed the police shooting because its mandate includes incidents in which police actions may have contributed to serious injury or death.

In February 2025, the civilian oversight agency concluded there were no reasonable grounds to believe any officer had committed an offence.

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