Prince George, B.C. - - Denis Ratte   has been sentenced to serve 15 years before he will be eligible for parole  for the second degree murder of his wife, Wendy Ratte.

Wendy Ratte disappeared in the summer of 1997, her abandoned van found in the parking lot of the former Overwaitea store on Spruce Street in Prince George. Her remains have not been found.

Daughter Anna Sieppert says she is satisfied  with the fact her father will not be eligible for parole for 15 years, “It could have been longer, but I am satisfied, I can live with it.”

She says she didn’t want to believe her father was guilty of killing her mother, “As a child you want to believe what your parents tell you, but the pieces fell apart, his own story started to fall apart and started to come together for me. I can’t say I completely believed it until they arrested him. All the pieces really fit together at that point.”

Ratte has been given a life sentence, which is automatic with a conviction of 2^nd degree murder, the only matter to be decided was how much time he would have to serve before becoming eligible for parole.

After reviewing case law and similar cases, Supreme Court Justice Glen Parrett said the murder of Wendy Ratte “was, above all , a case of extreme domestic violence.”

Justice Parrett told the court the accused in this case, was a considered liar “who lied to advance his own case.”  

Ratte’s sentence will include the time in custody since his arrest in late 2008.