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‘Abbotsford Killer’ Terry Driver dies in prison of natural causes

Terry Driver was convicted in the 1995 murder of 16-year-old Tanya Smith, left, and the attempted murder of her friend, Misty Cockerill, right. File

The man who became known as the Abbotsford Killer has died.

Terry Driver was convicted in the murder of 16-year-old Tanya Smith and the attempted murder of her friend, Misty Cockerill.

Driver attacked the two teens with a baseball bat in 1995. Cockerill managed to escape and get help while Driver dumped Smith’s body in the Vedder River.

Terry Driver became known as the Abbotsford Killer. File

The trial heard Driver removed the headstone from Smith’s gravesite, defaced it and then left it on the hood of a vehicle owned by the local radio station.

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He also wrapped a note in a package that contained references to the murder and tossed it through the window of an Abbotsford home.

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He had taunted police with phone calls that were released to the public. His mother recognized his voice and turned him in.

Driver was serving a life sentence with no parole for at least 25 years.

His application for parole back in May was denied as he was deemed a high risk to re-offend.

Correctional Service Canada said Monday that Driver died in Mountain Institution in Agassiz, B.C., of apparent natural causes.

He was 56 years old.

Click to play video: 'Family petitions for convicted killer to be denied parole'
Family petitions for convicted killer to be denied parole

– with files from The Canadian Press

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