THE KILLER

her actions because she knew exactly what she was doing. I don’t understand why you want someone that was so beautiful inside and out, that was such a kind person, to die.”

Ms Bozzi said Carter should have received the maximum prison term of 20 years.

“She has to live as one of the most hated people in the country,” the aunt said.

“I don’t think she helped to kill himself, I think she forced him to kill himself. I think if it wasn’t for her, he’d still be here.” During Carter’s trial, heard by a judge not a jury, the court was told she too had struggled with mental illness.

Her legal team claimed antidepressants influenced her behaviour and that her texts, though reckless and ill-willed, were free speech.

They said Carter was not to blame for Conrad’s death, through carbon-monoxide poisoning, because he was suicidal and had previously tried to kill himself, adding that she did not break any laws because the state of Massachusetts has no statute against assisting or encouraging suicide. But Conrad’s mum said not even an apology, which she claims she has still not received, would stop her anger towards Carter.

“My son mattered. He matters. Will always matter,” Mrs Roy said. “He had a family and future and mom and dad. We’ll never get over him.”

Roy’s cousin, Makenna O’donnell, said of Carter: “She gets to sleep in her own bed tonight, she gets to eat breakfast, she gets to wake up with her family. Meanwhile, where’s Conrad? Where’s Conrad?

“He’s watching us from above. He’s not going to be here any more.”