Randy Tshilumba sentenced to life in prison for 1st-degree murder of Clémence Beaulieu-Patry

"Her name was Clémence, and we will remember her," said Quebec Superior Court Justice Hélène Di Salvo before turning to the 20-year-old woman's murderer, Randy Tshilumba, and sentencing him to life in prison.

Di Salvo then addressed Clémence Beaulieu-Patry's parents.

"The guilty verdict will not bring back Clémence, but I hope it will bring you a measure of peace," she said.

Earlier in the sentencing hearing Wednesday, under a projected photo of a smiling Beaulieu-Patry, family members and friends spoke about the impact the young woman had had on their lives.

Last week, a jury found Tshilumba, 21, guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Beaulieu-Patry. He stabbed her to death in the Maxi supermarket where she worked on April 10, 2016.

Beaulieu-Patry's parents, Luc Patry and Nathalie Beaulieu, were the first to speak, saying they were the proudest parents in the world when Clémence was born.

"During our walks, people would stop us and tell us how they found you beautiful and expressive," said Beaulieu.

"Our travels were moments of bonding, discovery and pure happiness," said Patry, recalling his daughter's teen years.  

Since the murder, her parents told the court they've had to learn to live without their daughter, which has had physical and emotional repercussions.

"We're consumed by sadness and anger every day, and that prevents us from working," said Beaulieu. She told the court that their inability to work has had a serious financial impact.

The two say they're paralyzed by pain despite medical and psychological help, and despite taking anti-depressant medication.

'She was never anonymous'

At the end of their joint statement, Di Salvo addressed the parents, saying she was touched by how everyone addressed their daughter as Clémence, and not Ms. Beaulieu-Patry.  

"She was never anonymous during the whole trial, and I tell you this because it's very special," said Judge Di Salvo.  

"It hit me when the witnesses from the Maxi, who didn't know her and who helped her, called her Clémence."

Di Salvo said she has rarely seen this in all of her years in court.

Four of the young woman's friends also spoke about the impact her death had on them.

They spoke of her positivity, but also how they now live with fear.

"I'm a strong woman, not afraid of walking alone at night, no matter the hour," said a woman named Laurence. She described herself as an adventurous person who loves change, people and life.

"However, since April 10, 2016, that feeling of confidence toward others has crumbled," she said. "From one day to the next, I'm afraid."

Both Beaulieu-Patry's parents and her friends told the court they take a measure of comfort in the first-degree murder verdict that Tshilumba received.  

Tshilumba will have no chance of parole before serving 25 years in prison.