Darcie Clarke, the British Columbia woman known for being the mother of three children killed in one of Canada’s most widely reported family tragedies, has died, according to multiple reports confirmed in 2019.
Clarke was the former partner of Allan Schoenborn, the man found not criminally responsible for the deaths of their three children—Kaitlynne, Max, and Cordon Schoenborn—who were killed in 2008 in Merritt, British Columbia.
Reports from family representatives and Canadian media outlets confirmed that Darcie Clarke passed away in May 2019. Her death was publicly announced by a family spokesperson, who requested privacy for relatives and did not disclose further details regarding the circumstances.
Clarke’s passing was widely covered across Canadian news platforms, where she was remembered as a grieving mother and long-time advocate for victims’ rights following the loss of her children.
After the deaths of her children in 2008, Clarke became known for her public advocacy and statements directed toward the criminal justice and mental health review systems in British Columbia. She frequently expressed concerns about community safety and the possibility of supervised releases granted to Schoenborn through review board decisions.
Over the years, she remained involved in public discourse surrounding victim notification rights and the handling of individuals found not criminally responsible due to mental illness.
The case involving Allan Schoenborn drew national attention after he was accused of killing his three children in their home in Merritt, B.C. In court, he was found not criminally responsible due to mental illness, and was subsequently detained in a forensic psychiatric facility in Coquitlam.
The case has since been reviewed repeatedly by the B.C. Review Board, with ongoing debates surrounding supervised community access and public safety considerations. Following Clarke’s death, tributes described her as a deeply affected mother who endured years of emotional hardship while advocating for changes in how victims’ families are treated within the legal system.
Family spokespersons and supporters stated that her legacy would be tied to victim advocacy and raising awareness about the long-term impact of violent crime on families.