Aurora, Ont. man convicted of manslaughter after wife's disappearance sentenced

An Aurora, Ont. man who has maintained his innocence despite being convicted of killing his wife learned his fate in a Newmarket courtroom on Wednesday.

John Sedo, 65, has been in custody since his arrest four years ago, charged with second-degree murder.

Helen Sedo disappeared in July 2020 at the age of 61. Her body has never been found.

A jury deliberated over two days before finding Sedo guilty of manslaughter in February this year.

During the trial, the defence highlighted to the jury there was no motive or proof without a body that Sedo murdered his wife, telling the seven women and five men on the jury that Helen simply vanished and her disappearance remains a mystery, urging them to acquit.

The defence had sought an eight-year sentence, less time served in custody, while the Crown argued for the 65-year-old man to spend 13 to 14 years behind bars.

On Wednesday, Sedo was sentenced to nine years less time served in pre-sentence custody. Credited with six years for time served, Sedo will be released in about three years.

The Disappearance

The Crown's case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence and detailed a heated argument between Sedo and his wife of 35 years on the night it's believed he took her life.

Sedo claimed his wife left in a fit of rage after the argument, packed a bag and walked out.

He reported her missing two days after she disappeared and told the 911 dispatcher Helen could "flip very quickly from rage to everything normal." He said he had encouraged his wife to seek help but that she refused.

He told the dispatcher her absence was "just so weird."

Witness Testimony

While on the witness stand, the couple's son shared that it was uncharacteristic of his mother to storm off and not contact anyone in the family. Her cell phone and passport were later discovered at the couple's Aurora home.

Witnesses described to the court a troubled marriage on the brink of divorce. Helen's brother, Louie Goziotis, testified his sister expressed her unhappiness in the marriage and confided in him about marital issues two years before she vanished.

Helen and John Sedo are shown in this undated photo. (Supplied)

The Crown argued Sedo killed his wife, disposed of her body and went to great lengths to cover his tracks, calling him a "methodical man."

The prosecution accused Sedo of purposefully turning off his cell phone for 13 hours to avoid leaving a digital footprint of his actions when he went to the family's property in Huntsville to clear his head.

Helen's SUV was later found in a wooded area in Huntsville, destroyed by fire.

Family Reaction

Helen Sedo's family has waited for justice since she vanished in the summer of 2020 and said they are disappointed with the outcome.

"He got away with murder," Louie Goziotis said about the verdict. "He's going to be out, and even though he'll be lonely and by himself, it still doesn't feel like we got justice for my sister."

The couple's son echoed the family's shock, reacting to the judge's ruling with disbelief.

"It was never going to be enough, but this feels wrong," Michael Sedo said. "Because he was so successful at destroying the evidence of what he did, he's now reaping the reward for that. I think that sends the wrong message to every single piece of sh** out there that lays his hands on his wife, girlfriend, sister, mother, or any woman in his life. It sends the message you get leniency for trying to hide what you did and being successful at it."

Helen's family and friends said they are still seeking closure.

"I want to know where Helen's remains are. We deserve to give her a proper burial, and that's all I want," said family friend Rebecca Beaton.

Justice Michelle Fuerst referred to Sedo's actions as cowardly, callous and cold. As part of his sentence, Sedo is barred from communicating with Helen's family and loved ones.

Goziotis added that the pain of his sister's loss remains deeply felt. "I miss her every single day. She was the greatest person ever," he said. "He's taken a lot from us, and I wish he never existed."

With files from CTV's Mike Arsalides