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A Calgary man who was found not criminally responsible for fatally stabbing five people at a house party is now seeking greater freedoms. Matthew de Grood, whose actions shocked the community back in 2014, is under psychiatric care and has been described by his treating psychiatrist, Dr. Sergio Santana, as having a low risk of reoffending. Dr. Santana recently appeared before Alberta’s Criminal Code Review Board to recommend easing some of the restrictions placed on de Grood, especially to allow him more freedom to visit family members, such as his sister in British Columbia.
The recommendation came during an annual hearing assessing de Grood’s progress and whether he merits additional privileges. Dr. Santana emphasized that while they can only suggest, it is ultimately up to the board to agree or reject the request. Last year, the psychiatrist already believed de Grood was ready for more freedoms but the decision lies with the board. Despite his violent past, de Grood continues to struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the emotional toll of what his actions have meant for both his own family and the families of the victims.
According to Dr. Santana, de Grood’s feelings of guilt, shame, and remorse are significant signs pointing toward his desire for change and recovery. This emotional response is seen as a positive indicator in psychiatric evaluations, suggesting that the patient is on a path to rehabilitation. However, despite his treatment team’s advocacy, legal hurdles remain. In September, Alberta’s Court of Appeal turned down a request for de Grood to receive a conditional discharge or a relaxation of the supervision rules that govern his stay at group homes.
De Grood was charged with murder following the incident at the house party, where he stabbed five young people—Zackariah Rathwell, Jordan Segura, Kaiti Perras, Josh Hunter, and Lawrence Hong—to death without any apparent provocation. The attack occurred in the early hours of April 15, 2014, during what was described as a relaxed and laid-back party. At the time, de Grood was 22 years old and suffering from schizophrenia. Expert testimony during the trial established that he was experiencing a psychotic episode and had lost touch with reality, believing he was fighting mythical creatures like Medusas and werewolves for the son of God.
The unanimous expert opinion was that de Grood did not appreciate the moral wrongness of his actions due to his impaired mental state. This led to the court ruling him not criminally responsible for the killings. Since then, de Grood’s situation has been closely monitored by psychiatric professionals and the legal system alike. The debate around his privileges reflects the difficult balance between public safety and compassionate treatment of individuals with severe mental illness.
As of now, discussions continue about how best to manage de Grood’s rehabilitation and integration back into society with less restrictive conditions. The case remains a poignant example of the challenges faced when dealing with violence committed under the influence of mental illness, underscoring the complexity of justice, mental health care, and community safety.
