The family of a Toronto physician beaten to death by her husband in 2016 says the grief they feel will never match the impact her death will have on her three young children.
The mother, father and sister of 40-year-old Elana Fric-Shamji were among those who told a sentencing hearing on Wednesday how her killer and husband, Mohammed Shamji, has destroyed their family.
Fric-Shamji’s mother was the first to describe her grief to the court.
Ana Fric described her daughter as idyllic, “the child any parent would hope for.”
Fric and her husband, Joe Fric, worked overtime to help put Fric-Shamji through medical school. They were proud when she obtained two university degrees – in education and science – in four years.
“There was always a smile on her face,” Ana Fric said. “She was full of love and laughter.”
She said the loss has “destroyed” their lives and the lives of her daughter's three young children forever.
“Instead of making gifts for Mother’s Day, they have to lay flowers on her grave,” she said.
Court heard Fric-Shamji handed her husband divorce papers two days before he attacked her during a heated argument in the bedroom of their North York home while their children were asleep.
Shamji beat her, breaking her neck and ribs, before choking her to death. He then stuffed her body in a suitcase and abandoned it by a river in Kleinberg, Ont. Her body was found on Dec. 1, 2016 and Shamji was arrested a day later.
Ana Fric told the court she and Joe are raising Fric-Shamji’s three children.
“(We) can’t ever come close to replacing the love of their mother,” said Joe.
Fric-Shamji’s sister, Caroline Lekic, told the court she’s “haunted” by the violent way Shamji took her sister's life.
“I will never be able to talk to her, see her smile or laugh at her funny jokes,” she said. “She deserved a beautiful life with her children. The wrong life was taken.”
Lekic said the family has only their memories to hold on to now – all of which are good.
“Her compassion and enthusiasm were an inspiration to all those around her,” she said. “We all have good memories, but no Elana.”
Those sitting in the body of the courtroom could not hold back their tears, the couple’s eldest daughter among them.
She wiped away tears while her aunt described her mother, eventually leaving the courtroom upset.
Shamji’s family, however, showed little emotion as they listened to the submissions.
Court previously heard about the emotional and physical abuse Fric-Shamji suffered during their “volatile and dysfunctional” marriage. When Fric-Shamji decided to “give up the marriage for good,” her family believed she was finally on the path to a new life.
The Toronto neurosurgeon pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder in his wife’s death.
Before court adjourned on Wednesday, Shamji addressed the room, apologizing to his family and his children.
“Your honour, I killed my wife. She was my friend and mother of my children. There are really no words to express the shame and remorse I have,” he said.
“That night I should have killed myself, not Elana.”
At one point, he addressed Fric-Shamji’s parents – “I know this is difficult to see me, hear me.”
“Dr. Elana Fric loved life, but most of all she was a wonderful mother,” he said.
“I think of our children and pray they are happy. There are no excuses for the many people I’ve hurt.”
The 43-year-old is facing an automatic life sentence, but it is up to a judge to determine when he can apply for parole.
The Crown and defence submitted a joint recommendation to set parole ineligibility at 14 years.
A no-contact order between Shamji and his children has also been requested.
The Crown argues that the aggravating factors in the case include Fric-Shamji being murdered in her family home, with her children sleeping nearby, and that her body was disposed of in a suitcase.
However, the Crown said there are prospects for Shamji’s rehabilitation.
Shamji’s defence lawyer, Liam O’Connor, said about 14 letters had been filed with the court in support of his client.
He pointed to Shamji’s career, accolades and contributions to the medicine field as mitigating factors that should be considered.
“He has three wonderful children he loves dearly,” he said. “Sadly and unfortunately, this crime is what now defines him.”
The sentencing hearing will continue tomorrow.
With files from CTV News Toronto's Heather Wright and the Canadian Press
