Family of victim in Dawson City, Yukon, murder trial reflect on Kevin McGowan's life

The family of a man killed in Dawson City, Yukon, in 2018, say watching the trial of his alleged murderer this week has been difficult, but has also offered some sense of closure.

Kevin Edward McGowan of Port Coquitlam, B.C., 41, was killed in the early hours of April 30, 2018, in downtown Dawson. People who knew him said he had come to Dawson that spring to work as a chef and had only been in town a few weeks.

Kane Morgan of Dawson was charged with second degree murder in McGowan's death and his jury trial got underway last week, in Dawson. Morgan has admitted to causing McGowan's death but has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

Jury deliberations at the trial began Thursday afternoon.

Some of McGowan's family from Port Coquitlam have been in the courtroom since the trial began last week, listening to testimony from Morgan and others who were witness to some of the events the night McGowan's body was found.

Morgan testified that he doesn't remember any details of what happened between the time he and McGowan left a house party that night, and when McGowan was found dead a while later. Morgan told the court he had been heavily intoxicated by alcohol and drugs at the time.

McGowan's mother, Dianna McGowan, was visibly upset throughout the trial.

"It's very, very hard," Dianna told CBC News this week, as the trial was underway. "Especially listening to some of the details that I didn't know."

Kevin's daughter Brogan Tansowny was also following along in the courtroom and said it has been a difficult time for her as well.

"For a long time I think I just didn't want to find anything out," Tansowny said. "Which is not good. At the same point, having some closure has felt relieving almost — but at the same time, it's been a lot."

Tansowny and Dianna McGowan have also been accompanied by Kevin's "aunts," close family friends Pat Socher and Wendy Henschell, who were there for support but also to seek justice for Kevin.

Some of Kevin McGowan's family and friends at Dawson City's courthouse this week: from left, family friend Wendy Henschell, Kevin's mother Dianna McGowan, Kevin's daughter Brogan Tansowny, and family friend Pat Socher. (Chris MacIntyre/CBC)

Henschell told CBC News that being in Dawson this past week has in a way helped her feel closer to Kevin. All four women explained that after leaving court each day, they took comfort in visiting places where Kevin went, or eating at restaurants that he ate at.

"This place is beautiful, just like Kevin told me it was," Dianna said. "Walking out here in the fresh air ... That part has helped us get through it. Just being able to live day to day after the court time, to be able to feel comfortable being here."

Tansowny said it'll be hard for her to be happy no matter what the jury decides, as it won't bring her father back.

"[It] isn't going to change much for me at all," she said.

Asked if she could ever forgive the man who has admitted to killing her son, Dianna said she wasn't sure.

"You can ask me in ten years. Or 20 years. Give me 20 years and maybe I can give you a better answer but right now I'm sorry, I don't have any forgiveness."

Remembering a son, and a father

Kevin was Dianna's second son. She said he was always a happy child, and at an early age was already someone who people would gravitate to.

Dianna said Kevin was pursuing his dream of being a chef, a job that took him to many different places. She said his skills in the kitchen meant he was featured on television programs, and in magazines.

"We were proud of him," she said. "I miss him terribly. We had a lot in common and it hurts a lot to not have him in my life."

Kevin McGowan (wearing hat) with his parents and brother in January 2018. (Submitted by Dianna and Dave McGowan)

Tansowny recounted a time when she was only five years old and her father worked at a pizza shop. She said he took her to the back and taught her how to make her first wood fired pizza.

"I remember it so clearly," she said. "I remember being so happy. I was like, 'my dad's the chef here and I'm making pizza. This is so cool.'"

Socher and Henschell also had fond memories of Kevin, who was like a nephew to both of them.

"The highlight was that he was born on my birthday," Socher said. "Every time we got together, Kevin was right by my side. It made me feel good because I knew he loved me. We had this connection. It was there. I felt it, he felt it — and that's the highlight to me."

Henschell recounted a time when Kevin cooked a whole meal for his parents' 40th wedding anniversary. She said he must have worked for days to prepare the spread.

"It was amazing food," she said. "He was so proud of all of his food, and his parents."