A man from Windsor involved in a lethal assault on an unarmed victim and aiding in moving the body to northern Ontario has received a prison term of nine and a half years. Colin Lusk, aged 27 at the time of the incident, was sentenced by Ontario Court Justice Mikolaj Bazylko after admitting to manslaughter in the killing of David Pavao, aged 37.
Describing the crime as extremely severe, Bazylko mentioned that Pavao needlessly lost his life. The judge considered the offense to lean more towards the murder end of the manslaughter spectrum due to the deliberate nature of the act. Despite playing a secondary yet active role compared to his co-accused, Lusk’s involvement was considered serious, according to Bazylko.
The sentence falls within the range of eight to 12 years for aggravated manslaughter set by Ontario Court of Appeal decisions. The Crown had requested an 11-year term, while the defense sought eight years, deducting time spent in custody. Lusk was credited with 522 days of pre-sentence detention, leaving approximately eight years to serve.
The attack on Pavao occurred on August 14, 2025, at a Windsor residence where he sought shelter due to car trouble. Lusk and another individual engaged in a planned two-on-one assault on Pavao without provocation, using weapons like a ball-peen hammer and a steel baseball bat. Bazylko highlighted the defenseless nature of the victim during the prolonged attack.
Following the assault, Lusk left without seeking medical assistance for Pavao and later participated in transporting the body to northern Ontario for disposal. Pavao’s remains were discovered near Black River-Matheson Township, east of Timmins, with DNA testing required for identification due to severe decomposition.
Mitigating factors considered in Lusk’s sentencing included his lack of a criminal record, young age, and early guilty plea. He expressed remorse and participated in programs addressing substance abuse during custody. The judge emphasized the need to balance rehabilitation opportunities with deterrence and denunciation in sentencing young first-time offenders.
Victim impact statements from Pavao’s family highlighted the devastating loss and grief caused by his death. Lusk was also ordered to provide a DNA sample, received a 20-year weapons prohibition, and was prohibited from communicating with specific individuals, including Pavao’s immediate family, during his custodial term. The victim fine surcharge was waived due to the significant prison sentence imposed.