In 2024, Preston Whitford and his uncle entered a home in Portage la Prairie, where they fatally shot a man over a drug debt and killed the man’s girlfriend before fleeing. The repercussions of this tragic event will have enduring effects on the families involved, as highlighted during the recent sentencing of Whitford and Jeremy Whincup. The court learned about the profound grief experienced by mothers who have lost their children and children who are now growing up without their parents.
The daughter of victim James Borden expressed in a statement read in court that nothing can bring her father back or erase the pain caused by his loss. She shared memories of her father’s presence, phone calls, laughs, and hugs, emphasizing the lasting impact of his absence.
Whitford, now 31, and Whincup, now 55, admitted their roles in the killings of Borden and Emily Smoke, 37, in December 2024. Court proceedings revealed that the men operated a drug business in Portage la Prairie, with Borden working as a dealer for them. Whitford, influenced by drug use and trafficking since his early 20s, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for 17 years for two counts of second-degree murder. Whincup, with a lengthy criminal history, received an 18-year sentence for two counts of manslaughter, with approximately 16 years left to serve after credit for time already served.
During their time together at the Winnipeg Remand Centre, Whincup made several phone calls to Whitford, revealing their animosity towards Borden due to a perceived misuse of money owed to them. Subsequent events led to the fatal shootings of Borden and Smoke, described by the court as a callous and violent ambush.
Victim impact statements shared in court depicted the deep emotional toll on the families left behind. Borden’s mother expressed overwhelming turmoil and a desire for solace, while his sister lamented the loss of potential for breaking a cycle of trauma. Smoke’s mother recounted the fear and sleeplessness she now experiences, feeling robbed of a normal life after her daughter’s tragic death.
As the perpetrators face justice, Borden’s daughter finds solace in the accountability served, allowing her to slowly begin the healing process while cherishing her father’s memory and striving to move forward from the pain of his loss.
