Kyle Pietz sentenced to 16 years for killing Eduardo Balaquit, who disappeared in 2018

Kyle Pietz has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for the killing ofEduardo Balaquit, 59, who went missing more than four years ago.

Manitoba Court of King's Bench Judge Sadie Bond sentenced Pietz, 37,on Monday, after a jury found him guilty of manslaughter in May.

Balaquit was last seen on June 4, 2018, when he was working as a night cleaner at a business in Winnipeg. He disarmed the building's alarm code at 6:05 p.m. and was never seen or heard from again.

Edward Balaquit, the victim's son, spoke outside the courthouse Monday, with manyfamily members and friends behind him.

He expressed some reliefthe court process is overbutsaid it's still difficult for the family andno sentence length would ever be enough.

"He hurt us in more ways than most people know. Sixteen years, I mean, it's a long time but it's not a long time at the same time," Edward said.

"Whatever time is given, it's never going to be enough."

Edward described his father as a hard workerwho did whatever he could for his family.

"He was tired, but he'd make sure that his tiredness [didn't] get in the way of how he cared for us. He loved everyone and wanted to make everyone know that they were loved. He tried his best for everyone," Edward said.

Pietz was initially arrested and charged in connection with Balaquit's deathin March 2021.

Pietz previously worked at the same business as Balaquit. An employee saw his vehicle circling the building around closing time on the day of Balaquit's disappearance.

Four months after Balaquit went missing,police said he waslikelythe victim of a homicide.

WATCH | Edward Balaquit speaks about judge's sentencing:

Son of Eduardo Balaquit says family hurt 'more ways than most people know' after killing

2 years ago

Duration 0:53

Edward Balaquit, son of Eduardo Balaquit, speaks to media after the sentencing of Kyle Pietz, who was found guilty of manslaughter in his father's death. He says no sentence length would have been enough.

While reading her decision on Monday, the judge said there was "ample evidence" to suggest Pietz planned the robbery ofBalaquit, as he wasprepared with zip ties, duct tape and was wearing a shirt belonging to their mutual workplace, "so Mr. Balaquit would be more trusting of him and allow him into the building," Bond suggested.

She saidPietz would have known that Balaquitwouldn't have been willing to hand over his bank cards and a personal identification number, resulting in a struggle that could cause bodily harm.

She's confident whatevertranspired during the robberyled to Balaquit'sdeath.

The Crown sought a sentence of at least 18 years behind bars forPietz, less time served.

The defencelawyer asked for eight to 10 years of prison for Pietz.

Balaquit's body has never been found, and there was no DNA evidence linking Pietz to his death.

His family has repeatedly called on Pietz to tell them where his remains are.

"Everyone should be able to say goodbye. It would mean theworld to us," Edward said again on Monday.

During the trial's opening statements, Crown attorney Vanessa Gama said Balaquit's life of "consistency and routine" left a trail for police following his disappearance, and it led directly to Pietz.

Police hindered by hiding of body

Gama said Pietz was at "financial rock bottom," and his desperation drove him to rob and then kill Balaquit.

Pietzalsopurposefully hid Balaquit's body after he died,"deliberately inhibiting the police investigation," she said.

Defence lawyer Brett Taylortold the judge at the hearing in November that there was little evidence that could prove any of the aggravating factors.

The defence read a number of letters from Pietz's family that painted him as a loving partner and father of two girlswho struggled early in his life with alcoholism.

After Monday's sentencing, Edward said Pietzhas yet to demonstrate any of that kindness to his family.

"If he wants to prove that he's actually a good guy, then I hope he does and I encourage him to prove that he's the man that everyonesays he is,"Edward saidon Monday.

Kyle Pietz sentenced to 16 years for killing Eduardo Balaquit

2 years ago

Duration 2:15

A 37-year-old man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for the killing of Eduardo Balaquit, 59, who went missing more than four years ago.