Barrhaven Mass Stabbing Case: Febrio De-Zoysa Sentenced to Life for Ottawa’s Deadliest Family Tragedy
Febrio De-Zoysa, a 19-year-old Sri Lankan student, pleaded guilty to killing six people—including four children—in the 2024 Barrhaven mass stabbing. Learn the full story, court outcome, and how Ottawa’s community is healing from one of its darkest tragedies.
Overview
In one of Ottawa’s most horrifying crimes, Febrio De-Zoysa, a 19-year-old Sri Lankan international student, murdered six people—including four young children—in a premeditated mass stabbing in Barrhaven on March 6, 2024. The attack devastated the Wickramasinghe family, who had selflessly offered De-Zoysa a home rent-free, treating him as one of their own.
On November 6, 2025, De-Zoysa pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, and one count of attempted murder, receiving a life sentence with no parole for 25 years. The tragedy has since ignited national conversations about mental health, community safety, and support systems for international students in Canada.
Key Points
- Premeditated Violence: Evidence shows that De-Zoysa planned the killings five days before the attack and bought the knife two months earlier on Amazon.
- Victims: Six victims included a mother, her four young children, and a close family friend, all of Sri Lankan descent.
- Survivor’s Resilience: The father, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, survived despite multiple stab wounds and has since founded a charity for Sri Lankan children.
- Mental Health Context: De-Zoysa’s struggles with depression, academic failure, and isolation were discussed in court but did not lessen accountability.
- Legal Judgment: Justice Kevin Phillips condemned the killings as “stupefying” and “demonic,” handing down life imprisonment with no parole for 25 years.
- Community Impact: The case has deeply affected the Sri Lankan community and Ottawa residents, leading to widespread reflection on mental health and trust within communities.
Background: How the Barrhaven Mass Stabbing Happened
The Wickramasinghe family, new immigrants from Sri Lanka, were living on Berrigan Drive in Barrhaven, Ottawa. They opened their home to Febrio De-Zoysa, a fellow Sri Lankan and international student at Algonquin College, allowing him to stay rent-free in their basement.
While outwardly polite and quiet, De-Zoysa was failing academically, isolated, and financially destitute—reportedly with only $2 in his bank account. He spent most of his days playing video games and withdrawing from social contact.
According to court records, De-Zoysa decided to carry out the murders five days before the attack. On March 6, 2024, he lured a visiting family friend, Gamini Amarakoon (40), to his room under the pretense of watching a movie, then stabbed him to death. He subsequently murdered Darshani Dilanthika Ekanayake (35) and her four children—Inuka (7), Ashwini (4), Ranaya (3), and Kelly (2 months)—in a spree of shocking violence.
When Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, the father, returned home that night, De-Zoysa ambushed him. In a struggle, Dhanushka managed to disarm his attacker and escape to a neighbor’s house, where he called 911. Police found De-Zoysa at the scene, covered in blood, and arrested him immediately.
Victims Remembered
| Name | Age | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Darshani Dilanthika Ekanayake | 35 | Mother / Wife |
| Inuka Wickramasinghe | 7 | Son |
| Ashwini Wickramasinghe | 4 | Daughter |
| Ranaya Wickramasinghe | 3 | Daughter |
| Kelly Wickramasinghe | 2 months | Infant |
| Gamini Amarakoon | 40 | Family Friend |
The loss of six lives devastated the Sri Lankan diaspora in Ottawa and shocked Canada as a whole. Despite losing his entire family, Dhanushka has shown remarkable courage, transforming grief into purpose through his charitable work.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
On November 6, 2025, De-Zoysa pleaded guilty in Ottawa Superior Court, avoiding a lengthy trial. He admitted to premeditating several of the murders, leading to four first-degree murder convictions.
Justice Kevin Phillips delivered a blistering statement at sentencing:
“The Wickramasinghe family took you in, and you breached their trust in the most wicked and depraved way known to man. You are the stuff of nightmares.”
The judge described the killings as “monstrous, chilling, and demonic,” adding that if Canadian law allowed it, he would have imposed consecutive life sentences. However, under a 2022 Supreme Court ruling, consecutive terms for multiple murders were ruled unconstitutional.
De-Zoysa was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 25 years, plus a concurrent 25-year sentence for attempted murder.
In a brief apology, De-Zoysa said:
“I take responsibility for the harm I’ve caused. I was suicidal and depressed. I love you all; you did nothing wrong.”
The court acknowledged his mental health challenges but emphasized that they did not excuse the calculated brutality of his crimes.
Legal Summary
| Legal Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Charges | 4x First-Degree Murder, 2x Second-Degree Murder, 1x Attempted Murder |
| Original Charges | 6x First-Degree Murder, 1x Attempted Murder |
| Plea Date | November 6, 2025 |
| Sentence | Life imprisonment; no parole for 25 years (murder charges) |
| Concurrent Term | 25 years for attempted murder |
| Court | Ottawa Superior Court |
| Influencing Ruling | 2022 Supreme Court of Canada decision banning consecutive life sentences |
Timeline of Events
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| January 2024 | De-Zoysa purchases knife from Amazon |
| March 1, 2024 | Decides to commit the murders |
| March 6, 2024 (Morning) | Dhanushka leaves for work and school drop-off |
| March 6, 2024 (Afternoon/Evening) | De-Zoysa kills Amarakoon, then attacks the Wickramasinghe family |
| March 6, 2024 (11 p.m.) | Dhanushka attacked but escapes and calls 911 |
| March 7, 2024 | Police arrest De-Zoysa at the crime scene |
| November 6, 2025 | Guilty plea and sentencing in Ottawa Superior Court |
Aftermath and Community Response
Crown attorney Dallas Mack described the killings as “callous, shocking, and intentional,” while Ottawa Police Sgt. Chris O’Brien called it “one of the worst mass killings in the history of Ottawa.”
In powerful victim impact statements, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe expressed both grief and gratitude:
“The person I trusted as family attacked me. I lost my home, my business, my income—but I was surrounded by kindness. The Sri Lankan community helped me survive. I am now trying to find meaning in my life again.”
Dishani Fernando, the widow of victim Gamini Amarakoon, said:
“You took my husband, my partner, and my best friend. You destroyed so many lives. A life sentence is the only just outcome.”
Mental Health, Trust, and Prevention
The Barrhaven mass stabbing has sparked widespread discussion about the mental health challenges faced by international students, particularly those experiencing cultural isolation and academic pressure.
Experts emphasize the need for:
- Early mental health intervention and accessible counseling for students abroad.
- Community awareness programs to detect signs of severe distress.
- Support networks that promote inclusion and trust among immigrant families.
While De-Zoysa’s actions remain inexcusable, the tragedy underscores Canada’s ongoing need for better preventive mental health frameworks—both in universities and in multicultural communities.
Conclusion
The Febrio De-Zoysa Barrhaven mass stabbing case stands as one of the darkest chapters in Ottawa’s history. It exposed the vulnerability of trust and the catastrophic cost of untreated mental illness. Yet, amid the pain, it also revealed extraordinary resilience, compassion, and unity within the community.
As Dhanushka Wickramasinghe continues his mission to help others, his words serve as a beacon of hope:
“Even though I lost everything, kindness helped me survive. I will keep moving forward.”