Sentencing begins for Maddie Hood’s killer

A sentencing hearing began today for the man convicted of the brutal murder of a 19 year old woman.

Maddie Hood was beaten, strangled, stabbed multiple times — and then her body set on fire. The horrific crime scene was uncovered by firefighters responding to a fire in Hood’s South Street St Catharnes apartment in July 2012.

Her friend, Cassell Farnsworth, 21, pleaded guilty to second degree murder. Today court heard that Hood was believed to be involved in low-level drug dealing. Maddie worked for Farnsworth and owed him some money.

Maddie Hood’s mother Colleen says the pain of losing her daughter so violently still hasn’t subsided.

“It has shattered us. We are shattered, I am shattered. Our family is devastated.”

“The devastation is as intense today as it was 18 months ago when she was killed. And, there is no way to heal from this. You can’t heal from losing your only daughter, your only sister, your only granddaughter. So, we’re devastated.”

Colleen also says it’s a shame our society glorifies murder. She says victims like Maddie are marginalized — even though she was murdered. And now Colleen Hood wants people to think about that.