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A British Columbia man convicted in the 2017 killing of Chelsey Gauthier has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, closing a long and painful chapter for the young woman’s family and friends.

Gary Donald Losch, 70, was sentenced Thursday in B.C. Supreme Court in Abbotsford. Justice S. Dev Dley imposed a 10-year sentence for manslaughter and an additional two years for indignity to human remains, to be served consecutively. Losch was also credited with three-and-a-half years for time already spent in custody.

Outside the courthouse, Gauthier’s loved ones embraced and wept following the decision.

“I feel like it wasn’t as strong as it should’ve been,” said Jayden Silvester, a close friend of Gauthier. “There was way too much leniency for what felt like fake remorse at the very end.”

Losch was originally charged with second-degree murder but was convicted in July of the lesser offence of manslaughter, along with indignity to human remains.

The court found that Losch killed 22-year-old Gauthier at an illegal marijuana grow operation in Mission, B.C., where she had been helping in exchange for cash and marijuana. Her body was later buried on the property.

Justice Dley said aggravating factors included Losch’s position of trust, as Gauthier relied on him for transportation to the remote site. The court also noted that Gauthier was Indigenous, and that Losch failed to seek medical help after stabbing her, later attempting to conceal his involvement.

During sentencing, Losch apologized to the court, calling Gauthier’s death a “horrible accident.” The judge cited Losch’s eventual acceptance of responsibility and expressions of remorse as mitigating factors.

“Mr. Losch’s acceptance of responsibility for what he has done, and recognition of the harm caused, is an important feature of this hearing,” Dley said, adding that genuine remorse can reduce a sentence.

Friends and supporters strongly disagreed with that assessment.

“A life is gone that can never come back,” said Kasadee York, another friend of Gauthier. “There’s no real justice in that, but I hope the community can find some peace knowing accountability was reached.”

Earlier this month, sentencing was briefly delayed after Losch requested a report tied to claims of Indigenous ancestry. While the claims were not disputed, the court ultimately found they could not be substantiated through further review.

Gauthier was reported missing by her family on July 30, 2017. Her body was discovered just over two weeks later in a rural area northeast of Mission.

As the case concludes, those who knew Gauthier say they will continue to remember her — and to grieve a loss they say no sentence can fully account for.