Could you love somebody so much that you would kill for them? Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka did. Since the first time they met, they knew they were meant for each other. Once kindled, their lustful relationship grew into one that led them deeper into sexual experimentation. They both had manipulative personalities, but Paul’s would eventually overpower Karla’s. Their fantasies grew stronger, and then family and friends began dying at the hands of these two, Paul and Karla. They thought they were smart enough to get away with it, but soon enough, all their dreams of an escape came crashing down.
Karla was born in Ontario, Canada on May 4, 1970. She was the eldest of three, and grew to be smart, popular, pretty, and well-loved by her friends and family. Karla pursued a job at a veterinary clinic. She adored animals. While at a pet convention in Toronto, she met her prince charming, Paul Bernardo, at just age seventeen. And Paul was twenty-three. The relationship between the two rapidly advanced. They both clicked instantly, sharing pathological desires in their sex life, binding them closer. This led to quirky foreplay, where Paul played the master and Karla the slave.1
Paul loved the feeling of dominating women. And Karla was wrapped around so tightly on his finger that she would do anything to please him. Bernardo often complained that when he met her, she was not a virgin. Karla, willing to satisfy Paul’s needs, offered her younger sister Tammy as a sex sacrifice to him because Tammy was still a virgin. Both planned to force Tammy into being a younger and purer version of Karla. To do this, Karla stole an animal anesthetic from her workplace for later use. On December 23, 1990, at a Christmas party at their home, the couple drugged Tammy’s drink with halcyon, and soon took her down into the basement. Karla pulled out the animal anesthetic and drenched a cloth with it to cover Tammy’s mouth, and knock her unconscious. Bernardo raped her, but Tammy unexpectedly began gagging on her own vomit and suddenly died. When her death was officially declared, it was labeled as an accidental death, as the drugs in her body went undetected.2
Paul continued his killings in the Scarborough suburbs of Toronto. He raped women and then murdered them. Some women fortunately escaped with only an attempted rape. No one could pin down who was committing these crimes. So this mysterious figure became known as the Scarborough Rapist. He usually attacked females outdoors, but occasionally he would break into their homes and severely beat them along with strong verbal harassment. Soon, the Metropolitan Toronto Police created an investigation to capture and arrest the Scarborough Rapist. It was only a month later that the Forensic Science Center matched Bernardo’s DNA with the Scarborough Rapist.3
A search of Bernardo’s home revealed numerous tape recordings of the rapes upon the women. Lots of the tapes showed the women being strangled and killed by Paul by their end. Karla decided to testify against Bernardo, and in return was to be granted a reduced sentence. Karla was interrogated for four days. She blamed Paul for her sister Tammy’s death, and described many of Paul’s kidnappings and rapes that resulted in women’s deaths. Two victims during the reign of the Scarborough Rapist were two schoolgirls Mahaffy and Kristen. Karla accused Paul of committing these crimes, and her accounts were later found to be true by forensic evidence. She said she lived in terror of Paul and was forced by him to partake in his crimes. On February 17, Bernardo was arrested and brought to the Toronto detention center where he awaited trial. At his trial, he was charged with first degree murder, found guilty, and subsequently sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole in twenty-five years. Karla was sentenced to only twelve years in prison.4
Now what did the future hold for these two who eventually turned on each other? As for Paul, he will be eligible for parole in 2018 at the age of fifty. But surprising news has surfaced, Paul is planning to get married while serving his term! Apparently a woman from London, Ontario, who requested to remain anonymous, has been charmed by this “innocent” man. She has said to her friends that Bernardo was just a bystander to the rapes and murders of the two schoolgirls. She was so determined to wed this convicted killer that she tattooed one of her ankles “Paul’s girl.” On the other hand, the woman’s father rejects her plans and says he hopes she will abandon this ill-thought idea. Many other news reporters and even the lawyers who represented Kristen and Mahaffy have all commented on how appalling they found it to be for anyone wanting to wed a man after his horrific crimes.5
As for Karla Homolka, she was released in 2005 after a short twelve year sentence. She thereafter resided in Quebec and married Thierry Bordelais, gave birth to a son, and later had two other children. She was found volunteering at an elementary school in Montreal. Breakfast Television Montreal has confirmed that she often went to the elementary school where her children also attend. Many parents of other children were displeased to see this, and red flags were raised. Parents commented that they did not want her to be on the school’s property and that they believed it wasn’t right for a former serial killer to be around children, especially volunteering. Disturbed parents complained to the school, but they weren’t answered until the Quebec Conference of Seventh-day Adventists sent out a letter. They stated that their priority was to provide quality education to the students and that while they arrange the complaints from the parents, they encourage parents to communicate with the Quebec Conference Office of Education. They also say that they were aware of who Karla is and that it is the law for Canada to conduct background checks on any personnel associated with the school. Karla, tired of the social media, moved away in the year 2007. Nobody heard of her again until a journalist, Paula Todd, came across her in Guadeloupe in 2012.6
- Charles Montaldo, “The Crimes of Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo,” ThoughtCo., (May 2017). ↵
- Charles Montaldo, “The Crimes of Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo,” ThoughtCo., (May 2017). ↵
- Historica Canada: The Canadian Encyclopedia, June 2016, s.v., “Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka Case,” by Edward Butts. ↵
- Nick Pron, Lethal Marriage: The Unspeakable Crimes of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka (Canada: McClelland-Bantam Inc., 1995), 9-16. ↵
- Irene Ogrodnik, “Convicted killer Paul Bernardo set to marry: report.” Global News, July 4, 2014. Accessed December 6, 2017. ↵
- Fazioli, Domenic. “EXCLUSIVE: Karla Homolka occasionally volunteers at Montreal elementary school.” CityNews, May 26, 2017. ↵
139 comments
Hector Garcia
I feel that their relationship was doomed from the start. Their manipulative personalities should have been the first hint that their relationship was going down in flames. It shocks me to hear how Karla willing to kill for her husband and its grotesque that she offered her sister as a sex sacrifice. But what stood out to me was that Karla was allowed to be in school property, even with her record. I would understand why the parents reacted like they did when they found out that a former serial killer was close to their children.
Constancia Tijerina
I have knowledge of “Ken and Barbie” trial, and every time I hear about it I still can’t wrap my mind around how someone can be so lonely and give up everything just to keep their “love of their life”; such as Karla Homolka. I can say, based on my knowledge, that both Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka have psychopathic tendencies in which they both got caught for. I don’t agree at all on how they can set free to these serial killers with so much forensic evidence. Although Bernardo was sentenced to life, he should have not been granted to the parole, and Homolka should have been sentenced the same wat that her lover was. Overall, this is a great article!
Alexandra Lopez
Upon reading the title for this article, I immediately knew what it was about. The “Ken and Barbie” killers have always sparked an interest in me. The film, “Karla”, based on these murders serves cruel details of how their relationship was. After watching this movie, I began researching Paul and Karla. I watched interviews after interviews, left speechless in my seat. I wasn’t sure how to take the information. Los of the interviews showed Karla to have absolutely no remorse and no guilt. The smug smiles Paul was giving towards cameras made my blood boil. It’s extremely flabbergasting on how such people can ruin the lives of innocents.
Monica Avila
The title alone captivated me, however, upon reading the third paragraph I realized I had seen the cinematic version of this twisted story. The movie based on the true story, “Karla”, shook me to my core. I had never researched further into the case so I did not know the fate Paul and Karla after they were caught. Whatever sick sexual fantasies Paul had, it was extremely mental of Karla to sacrifice her own sister’s virginity to please the man she loved. It is also unsettling to know Paul will be released from prison this year, who know’s what extent of rehabilitation he has received while incarcerated. I only hope that no other young women are harmed at the hands of this demented man.
Maria Esquivel
Just by the first line I was captivated by this story. I will never understand completely how love could make someone, such as Karla so blind, unable to see right and wrong. The fact, that Karla would let Paul rape these women and then kill them and then still decide to be with him is insane. As I read on, I wanted to feel bad for Karla for the things she had to endure and the acts she was manipulated to commit but I cannot because of the reason that SHE offered her sister as a sex sacrifice to please Paul because she believed Paul was only in love with her. I think Karla should have received a longer sentence because she decided to testify against him only to get a reduced sentence but did she really live in terror or was she just trying to stay out of getting a longer sentence.
Erin Vento
Wow, talk about toxic relationships. This was a really interesting story about two horrible people. Honestly, I feel like they should have served longer for raping and killing Karla’s little sister along with multiple women. It’s crazy to think that Karla has been out of jail for years and Paul is going to be let out this year. It’s even crazier that someone would believe he is innocent though.
Iris Henderson
To each their own, but marrying a serial killer? That has always been something I don’t understand and probably never will, to be quite honest. This story was captivating and I was curious to see the outcome for both involved. The thought of a serial killers accomplice working or volunteering for a school was very disturbing. Forgiveness is something we should all practice but there are something’s , for example innocent children, not worth risking on this idea. Especially, when one of the parties was willing to sacrifice someone, nevertheless, their own flesh and blood! Great read!
Saira Castellanos
I wonder what happened in their childhood that led these people to be like this. Also, I completely agree with the anger of the parents. I do not think that she should have been allowed to be at the elementary school. If she was able to be part of her sister’s murder, then who knows what she is capable of doing to these innocent children. I wonder what is going to happen to Paul this year. I seriously hope that he stays in prison for life. Those innocent women did not deserve what happened to them and deserve justice. I also wonder what is going on in that ladies head. I would love to have a conversation with her to know what is going on in her head that she thinks he’s innocent. Overall I liked this article, but more information about Karla would have made it better.
Megan Barnett
I have to say the ending to this story was very unexpected and strange as most crime stories conclude with the culprit going to jail and that is it, so it was surprising to read that one got out and started a new life while the other got engaged in jail. I think the parents that had their children going to the same school as Karl’s should have most definalty been concerned. I for one would be scared knowing that she killed her own sister and agreed to let her be raped.