Saskatoon woman sent to prison for killing friend on Christmas Day

A 21-year-old Saskatoon woman is going to prison after admitting she killed her friend on Christmas Day.

Vianna Moberly pleaded guilty in August to fatally stabbing Tyla Whitebirdon Dec. 25, 2023. She also pleaded guilty to lighting an apartment on fire earlier the same year.

Both women were staying at the Saskatoon Tribal CouncilEmergency Wellness Centre in theFairhavenneighbourhood. They had gone out together that day, with Moberly later returning on her own.

A cyclist discovered Whitebird's body on Malouf Road near the landfill.

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Police arrested Moberly on Dec. 27. She admitted to stabbing Whitebird repeatedly in the back because "she was annoying" before dumping the weapon in a manhole, court heard.

Prosecutor Aaron Martens had argued for a total sentence of 15years, while defence lawyer Ian Wagner proposed 12 years.

Judge Stephen Carter sentenced Moberly to 13 years on the combined charges.

A bloody notebook and a phone number helped police crack the case, court heard.

Whitehead had a notebook with her and, on a blood-splattered page, investigators found a phone number for the Fairhavencentre. Police followed up, and came across the video footage of the women leaving the facility together.

Prior to sentencing, Moberly told court, "I just want to get better, and I am very sorry."