Red Deer man gets 8-year sentence for fatal 2024 stabbing death
River Roan, 20, was convicted of manslaughter in the death of 43-year-old Anthony Spiller, who was stabbed in downtown Red Deer in December 2024.
A Red Deer man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a fatal stabbing that happened in the city's downtown nearly two years ago. River Roan, 20, was convicted of one count of manslaughter on May 19, 2026, and also received a firearm prohibition as part of his sentencing.
With credit for 759 days already served, Roan's 2,920-day sentence was reduced to 2,161 days, leaving him just under six years still to serve. He had originally been charged with second-degree murder before the case proceeded to a manslaughter conviction; a preliminary hearing had previously been scheduled for mid-September 2026 in Red Deer Court of Justice.
The stabbing occurred around 10:28 p.m. on Dec. 28, 2024, when Red Deer RCMP responded to a report of a man with injuries consistent with a bladed weapon at the corner of 49 Avenue and 53 Street. Officers arrested an 18-year-old suspect a short distance from the scene. The victim, 43-year-old Anthony Spiller of Red Deer, received medical treatment but died from his injuries.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.