A tragic incident that shook a British Columbia family during a camping trip over forty years ago has resurfaced as their killer has been once again denied parole, bringing both relief and frustration to their surviving relatives.
In 1982, David Ennis committed a heinous act by fatally shooting George and Edith Bentley, their daughter Jackie Johnson, son-in-law Bob Johnson, and grandchildren Janet, 13, and Karen, 11, at Wells Gray Park near Clearwater, B.C.
The Parole Board of Canada’s recent decision highlighted Ennis’s potential risk of violent or sexual reoffending, deeming it unmanageable if he were to be released. Kristal Woolf, the great-niece of Bob Johnson, expressed gratitude for the board’s rejection of Ennis’s parole application for the fourth time. Woolf emphasized the family’s struggle in repeatedly opposing his release, stating, “We are extremely happy that the parole board has gone in our favour.”
The board’s decision recounted Ennis’s chilling actions of observing the family before brutally killing the adults and holding the two children captive for days. Tragically, he sexually assaulted the older girl before ending the lives of both children and setting fire to the vehicle where he left their bodies, discovered later by a berry picker.
Woolf described the emotional toll the recurring parole process takes on the family, emphasizing the lack of closure as they prepare for each hearing by engaging with the media, podcasters, and petition campaigns against Ennis’s release. Despite Ennis’s completion of correctional programs and some progress, Woolf remained skeptical of his rehabilitation, asserting that his core nature remains unchanged.
The family continues to honor the memory of the six victims by sharing their stories and preserving their legacy in public consciousness. The Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre in West Kelowna stands as a tribute to the family, showcasing their photographs and ensuring their names endure.
David Ennis, previously known as David Shearing, is serving a life sentence and has been denied both day and full parole in 2008, 2012, and 2021.
