Brief
Ronald Edd Bell, convicted of 1993 Winnipeg murder, dies in prison at 74
The man who stalked and shot Terry‑Lyn Babb in 1993 died in federal custody, the Correctional Service of Canada said.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Ronald Edd Bell, 74, died of apparent natural causes on Monday at Stony Mountain federal prison north of Winnipeg, the Correctional Service of Canada said.
Bell had been serving a life sentence without parole for 18 years after being convicted for the January 21, 1993 killing of 25‑year‑old Terry‑Lyn Babb, who was shot at a bus stop on Sherbrook Street and Wolseley Avenue.
At sentencing in January 1994, Associate Chief Justice Jeffrey Oliphant called the murder an "execution" and recommended Bell remain locked up forever to protect society.
Prior to the murder, Bell worked as a licensed practical nurse at Misericordia Hospital, where he became obsessively attached to Babb, buying her art supplies and later following her, keeping a diary and photographs, according to contemporary Winnipeg Free Press reports.
Babb reported Bell to police in March 1991; he received a summons but the matter was delayed until May 1992. Despite a peace bond, Bell continued to harass her, leading to further complaints and another summons, which he ignored. In August 1992 he obtained a restricted‑weapon permit and registered a gun in November 1992, shortly before the killing.
Key facts
- Ronald Edd Bell died of apparent natural causes at Stony Mountain federal prison. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Bell was 74 years old at the time of his death. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- He was serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for 18 years for the 1993 murder of Terry‑Lyn Babb. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Babb was shot at a bus stop on Sherbrook Street and Wolseley Avenue in Winnipeg on Jan. 21, 1993. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Associate Chief Justice Jeffrey Oliphant described the killing as an execution at Bell's 1994 sentencing. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Timeline
- 1990-06-01 — Bell worked as a licensed practical nurse at Misericordia Hospital and began an obsessive relationship with Terry‑Lyn Babb.
- 1991-03-01 — Babb reported Bell to police; Bell received a summons.
- 1992-05-01 — Bell agreed not to contact Babb for a year after a court hearing.
- 1992-08-01 — Bell's application for a restricted weapon permit was approved.
- 1992-11-01 — Bell registered a gun.
- 1993-01-21 — Bell shot and killed Terry‑Lyn Babb at a bus stop.
- 1994-01-24 — Bell sentenced to life imprisonment with no parole for 18 years.
- 2026-09-30 — Bell died in prison.
Sources
- [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “Obsessed stalker who shot, killed young woman at bus stop in 1993 dies behind bars at age 74”
