Our beloved daughter and sister Emily passed away on March 16, 2022, after 25 agonizing days in hospital following the vicious attack by her boyfriend Thomas Hamp on February 20, 2022. Justice Grant Currie announced in his decision on July 3, 2025 that Thomas Hamp is not criminally responsible for her death due to mental disorder. Although we were very disappointed that the prosecution did not obtain its own psychiatric expert witness—leaving the psychiatrist hired by the defence as the only mental health expert to testify in the trial—we accept Justice Currie’s decision. We have declined comment before now out of respect for the legal process; that process has now completed.
Our deepest regret is that Emily’s suffering and death were entirely preventable. We were completely blindsided when we got a call in the middle of the night informing us that Thomas had stabbed our daughter. We had no idea that Thomas had mental health issues until after he stabbed Emily. Given Emily’s father’s position as a specialist physician working for over 25 years in Saskatoon, we would have ensured that Thomas received the assessment and care he required had we been informed. Not having had that opportunity is one of our unbearable regrets. Thomas’s confidentiality was prioritized by many over Emily’s safety, with tragic consequences.
During the court proceedings, it became clear that Emily was the only person who took concrete action to help Thomas, with the Hamps’ involvement limited to encouraging Emily via text messages. Despite the defense counsel inaccurately and strategically referring to Emily in court as Thomas’s “spouse”, she should not have been made responsible for him.
After the verdict, we were shocked to read this statement by Sandra and Bryan Hamp:
“We are grateful for Emily’s love for our son and the dedication she showed him. She knew Thomas best, and her diligence in documenting his decline was so careful and detailed. We could not help but feel her advocacy for Thomas transcending her passing.”
It is hard to express how insensitive this statement is coming from the killer’s family. No apologies, no regrets, no accountability. Their appreciation for Emily seems centred on the support she provided to Thomas, both in life and now in death. We challenge Thomas and his parents to think beyond themselves and recognize that Emily’s life was much bigger than her utility for them or Thomas. Thomas’s actions have robbed Emily of the opportunity to live a long and fulfilling life. Consider the impact of Thomas’s actions on Emily's family, friends, and the world at large, which has been deprived of her bright light. Emily did not and would not choose to sacrifice her life for Thomas, and we want the Hamps to refrain from the narrative that even now Emily is still advocating for their son, who has caused so much tragedy and destruction for her and her family.
Stephen, Joanne, Ryan, and Daniel Sanche