Bio

Clifford Sleigh was born in 1963 in Canada. Not much is known about his early life or childhood. 

As an adult, he lived in various locations, including Lodgepole, Alberta, and Edmonton. During the Labor Day weekend in September 1992, he traveled to Edmonton for a softball tournament. This trip would later become a significant point in his life, as it was during this time that he committed a serious crime.

Before his arrest, Sleigh remained out of the public eye and lived a relatively normal life. His later criminal actions would overshadow his past and define his legacy.

On March 14, 2003, he was charged with serious crimes linked to the kidnapping and murder of a young girl. After years without being identified as a suspect, DNA technology led to his arrest and the investigation of his past.

Murder Story

Clifford Sleigh was arrested on March 14, 2003, for the murder of six-year-old Corrine "Punky" Gustavson. The crime took place on September 6, 1992. On that day, Punky was playing in her yard with a friend when Sleigh kidnapped her. He took her from the yard, and two days later, her body was found in a truck yard in Edmonton, Alberta, not far from her home.

During the investigation, police took DNA samples from Sleigh, which matched the evidence found on Punky's body. He admitted to sexually assaulting her but denied killing her. He claimed that he had taken Punky in a fit of rage after an argument with his girlfriend, believing he could retaliate against her by abducting the child.

At trial, the prosecution presented evidence that Punky had been smothered to death. The medical examiner detailed severe injuries to her genitals, revealing that they could have caused her death had she not been smothered first. Defense attorneys questioned whether the injuries could have occurred after her death, but the medical examiner affirmed that it was unlikely.

Sleigh's defense also attempted to argue that Punky might have died from pressure on her neck. However, the medical evidence pointed to smothering as the cause of death.

The trial revealed that Sleigh’s actions deeply affected Punky's family. Upon hearing their victim impact statements, Sleigh appeared remorseful and sobbed in court while apologizing to them. Ultimately, he was found guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault. On May 26, 2005, Sleigh was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years.