An Edmonton man convicted of killing his pregnant wife and dumping her body in a ditch has been released on parole.
The Parole Board of Canada says Michael White was released on full parole at the end of May.
The 46-year-old was convicted in 2006 of manslaughter and insulting a corpse in the death of his wife, Liana White. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 17 years.
Liana White, a medical clerk at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, was four months pregnant with the couple’s second child when she was fatally stabbed in July 2005.
Liana White disappeared on July 12, 2005. Her Ford Explorer was found abandoned in a parking lot about two miles from her home and she was reported missing.
Her husband made an emotional public plea for her safe return.
Days later, a search party including her mother and husband found her body in a ditch. Michael White was charged with manslaughter the following day.
Court documents show that security footage from a nearby pub shows the SUV heading for the park around 5 a.m. on the day of Liana White’s disappearance and, about 11 minutes later, a man closely matching Michael White’s description who was ran across the park to the White house.
His appeal against the convictions was later rejected by Alberta’s highest court.
The parole board – noting that Michael White maintains his innocence – says White has demonstrated stability in the job market and ability to live a law-abiding lifestyle.
White was previously granted a day’s parole in February 2021, which was extended multiple times.
