SASKATOON — Cathy Balon says she “died that day with her daughter.”
Now, as the trial of the man accused of killing Nykera Justice Brown nears its conclusion, Balon spoke out against what she called “degrading” treatment of her daughter in court.
“There is so much wrong with this,” said Balon outside the Saskatoon Court of King's Bench on Nov. 6. “Victim shaming even after death is disgusting.”
Balon has attended the three-week trial of Andrew Rosenfeldt, who is charged with second-degree murder in Brown’s death. She says the experience has been painful and filled with misinformation.
“It’s been a lot of lies and degrading of my daughter,” she said. “If anybody knew Nykera, they knew she was a loving soul. That night, she had her bags packed to leave, to get help, to be with her baby and her family where her heart really was.”
Brown, 20, was found dead on Nov. 15, 2022, at Rosenfeldt’s home in the King George neighbourhood of Saskatoon.
Police arrested Rosenfeldt and charged him with second-degree murder. His non-jury trial before Justice Heather MacMillan-Brown wrapped up Nov. 6 with closing arguments set for Nov. 14.
Police describe Brown’s two suicide calls same day
Balon believes her daughter’s suicide attempts on Sept. 8, 2022, were desperate efforts to escape a violent relationship.
“She had to do it twice in one day to actually get the help,” said Balon. “It was a cry for help to get out of a domestic violence situation.”
Earlier that day, Saskatoon Police Service Const. David Clarke responded to a call about a possible suicide, court heard. Brown had phoned 911 and hung up. Clarke arrived at Rosenfeldt’s home and found Brown sitting on the steps outside. She told him she was struggling with mental health issues and had suicidal thoughts. Clarke offered to take her to Royal University Hospital (RUH), and he testified, “she immediately took me up on it.”
Before leaving, the officer allowed her to have some of her belongings gathered. He said Rosenfeldt handed her a duffle bag through the basement window of an apartment at 101, 124 Avenue P. He checked its contents before giving it to her.
Clarke said he took her voluntarily to the hospital and helped book her in.
“She seemed genuinely interested in obtaining help?" Crown Prosecutor Elizabeth Addabor asked on Thursday.
“That’s correct,” replied Clarke.
He said he was unaware Brown had been reported missing at the time.
Later that night, another officer, Const. Cameron Graves responded to a second call – this time about a woman standing on the railing of University Bridge. Graves testified that Brown threatened to jump if he approached. Two officers distracted her while he got closer.
“I was able to grab her and pull her off the railing," he said.
Graves said she was quiet and co-operative. He arrested her under the Mental Health Act and drove her to RUH.
Brown had been listed as a missing person by Saskatoon Police Service from Sept. 1, 2022, to Nov. 15, 2022. They said that she had not been in contact with her family, which was uncommon. Balon filed the report after she said she believed that Rosenfeldt had isolated her from her family.
Defence Chris Murphy is arguing Brown’s death was the result of a suicide, not homicide.
Remembering Nykera
Balon now raises Brown’s five-year-old son.
“I still have a piece of Nykera,” she said on Nov. 6. “And he’s got her attitude.”
She remembers her daughter fondly; her love for tacos, her favourite colours – purple and hot pink – and her devotion to her son.
ljoy@sasktoday.ca
