In the quiet suburbs of Medicine Hat, Alberta, the spring of 2006 was supposed to be unremarkable. Instead, it became the setting for one of the most chilling crimes in Canadian history. This isn't just a story of a triple homicide; it’s a terrifying look into digital subcultures, psychological manipulation, and a legal system forced to decide if a child killer can ever truly be "cured."
A Digital Death Pact: From VampireFreaks to Reality
The tragedy didn't start in the Richardson home; it started online. Jasmine Richardson was only 12 years old when she began dating 23-year-old Jeremy Steinke. Their relationship was a toxic cocktail of gothic fantasy and extreme age disparity.
Steinke, who went by the username "Souleater," claimed to be a 300-year-old werewolf who liked the taste of blood. Jasmine, operating under the handle "RunawayDevil," was his devoted disciple. When Jasmine’s parents, Marc and Debra, did what any concerned parents would do—tried to end the relationship—the "werewolf" and his young follower decided the only way to be together was to eliminate the obstacles.
April 23, 2006: The Massacre
The events of that Sunday afternoon were nothing short of a horror movie. While the community enjoyed the spring weather, the Richardson home became a scene of unthinkable violence.
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The Motive: Pure, teenage rebellion fueled by an adult predator's influence.
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The Victims: Marc and Debra Richardson were ambushed and killed in their basement. The most heartbreaking detail? The murder of 8-year-old Tyler Jacob Richardson, Jasmine’s younger brother, who was killed simply because he was a witness.
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The Flight: Following the murders, Jasmine and Steinke fled, leading police on a brief manhunt. When they were caught, the public was horrified to learn that the "missing" 12-year-old daughter was actually the primary architect of the plan.
The Verdict: Justice or Leniency?
The legal battle that followed sparked national outrage. Because of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, Jasmine could not be sentenced as an adult.
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Jasmine Richardson: Sentenced to the maximum youth penalty of 10 years. She underwent intensive psychiatric therapy and was monitored closely until her sentence ended in 2016.
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Jeremy Steinke: Sentenced to life in prison without parole for 25 years. He remains incarcerated, though he has since changed his name to Jackson May.
Where is the "Runaway Devil" Now?
In 2016, Jasmine Richardson was granted full freedom. By all accounts from the medical community, her rehabilitation was a "success." She expressed remorse, completed her education, and has since integrated back into society under a new identity.
However, for the community of Medicine Hat and the surviving family members, the question remains: Can ten years ever truly pay for the lives of three people, including an 8-year-old boy?
True crime fans, what's your take? Was Jasmine a victim of Steinke’s grooming, or was she a cold-blooded mastermind who manipulated him? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
Sources:
▪️ The Calgary Herald: The Richardson Family Murders 10 Years Later
▪️ CBC News: "Runaway Devil" and the Youth Criminal Justice Act
▪️ The Globe and Mail: Rehabilitation of Canada's Youngest Multiple Killer
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