Regina's first serial killer pleads guilty

Burying her head in her hands, her sobs barely audible, Maxine Goforth wept as she heard what happened to her daughter.

Clayton Bo Eichler pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of 21-year-old Kelly Goforth and 23-year-old Richelle Bear.

DNA and receipts found in the bag Goforth’s body was discovered in were linked to Eichler.

Investigating Eichler’s home, police found photos of what medical experts suggested was a deceased Bear. The photos appear to show Eichler doing “intrusive” to her body.

Eichler spoke only to state his guilty plea and that he gave those pleas voluntarily.

He was in a prison-issue orange jumpsuit with a white bandage on the left side of his neck with his feet in chains.

The guilty pleas appeared to be a surprise to all involved who were due to begin Eichler’s trial for double first-degree murder charges.

Instead, the trial was initially delayed for what was described as a medical issue that took Eichler to hospital Sunday night.

Despite the initial charge of first-degree murder, Crown lawyer Bill Burge was satisfied justice has been served.

“We felt this was a compromise we could live with and that’s why we took the plea to second degree,” Burge said outside Court of Queen’s Bench. “He is going to be sentenced for a life sentence for two murders, his parole eligibility will be fixed by the court and his actual parole if he ever receives it will be determined by the parole board.”

Bear’s body has never been found. Asked whether talks were ongoing with Eichler to reveal the location, defence lawyer Morris Bodnar wouldn’t reveal what is being said.

“Not for the purposes of the media I would not be,” Bodnar stated.

The Crown and defence jointly submitted a sentence of life with no chance of parole for 20 years.

Justice Fred Kovach is tasked with the decision to accept that submission or change the parole eligibility. He will do so after hearing the victim impact statements of both mothers when court resumes at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday.