Murderer let out for grandpa’s funeral

An Olds man serving a life sentence for second-degree murder in the death of Garland Curtis in 2014 has been granted a temporary escorted absence.

Parole Board of Canada documents show Dustin Piper, 27, will receive a compassionate escorted temporary absence to attend his grandfather’s funeral.

Piper was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for 10 years in January 2014.

He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Curtis, 40.

Curtis’s body was found in his Airdrie home in January 2013 after a co-worker reported him missing.

The parole documents state that the victim was known to Piper and reportedly wanted to have a sexual encounter. Piper did not.

“While the victim was asleep, you stabbed him in the head with a leather piercing tool,” the documents read.

“You tied a plastic bag around his neck and moved him to a downstairs closet to conceal his body. He was wrapped in blankets and several objects were stacked on top of him. He was not found for several days.”

Piper requested an escorted temporary absence to attend a private family memorial in October for his grandfather.

“Your grandfather raised you as his son and you referred to him as your father,” the documents read.

“Attending the memorial service will give you an opportunity to grieve for your father, with other family members.”

Piper will be escorted by two armed officers and kept in ankle and hand restraints during the memorial.

“It is acknowledged that your offence was violent and cost a man his life, however,” the parole board said in its decision.

The board said there were no victim concerns.