A sentencing hearing is taking place Thursday in connection with the death of a woman whose remains were found in Maple Ridge.
Andrea Nause says she was Jessica Cunningham’s best friend for 33 years.
In a statement, she describes what happened to the 43-year-old as “unfathomable,” adding Cunningham was an incredible friend and human who lived her life to the fullest.
“Life wasn’t always easy or kind to her, but she never let it defeat her. She never got bitter; she only got better. She had so many beautiful facets to her personality. She was dedicated, thoughtful, generous, and fiercely loyal.”
Nause calls Cunningham her soulmate.
“She was the favourite auntie, the most doting dog-mama, a daughter you could be proud of. She was a cousin, granddaughter, sister, partner, and angel on earth. She’s the kind of person that quietly fed the homeless and advocated for animal welfare. She had traits that you would want your children to mimic. She had no enemies. She chose the path of kindness, even when it was hard. The only thing greater than her capacity to love was her capacity to forgive. The void left by her passing for myself and my children, who she helped raise, will never be filled,” Nause adds.
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She acknowledges the last few months of Cunningham’s life must have been difficult.
“The world was robbed of a person who made it a better place.”
Nause, who lives in another province, says she will be attending today’s sentencing via Zoom.
In late August 2025, Ridge Meadows RCMP were at a property on Gillis Place investigating after Cunningham had been reported missing. The home was one she shared with now-48-year-old Mylie Barron. The two had been in a relationship.
The investigation led to the discovery of Cunningham’s remains inside the home.
Barron was charged with indignity to human remains.
“This charge occurs when a person neglects to perform their legal duty to bury a dead human body, or if a person interferes in an improper, indecent or undignified way with a dead human body or human remains,” the Integrated Homicide Investigative Team (IHIT) explained previously.
Barron has been in custody since pleading guilty to the charge — the focus of Thursday’s sentencing.
“As with all of our investigations, it was important for IHIT investigators to continue to uncover the truth of what happened,” said IHIT Sgt. Freda Fong.
The BC Prosecution Service confirmed Wednesday that it had approved an additional charge of second-degree murder against Barron.
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—With files from Shravan Raghavan
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