‘I really didn’t want to let him go:’ Saskatoon stabbing victim dies after being taken off life support

It has been almost two months since Randy Beauchesne was stabbed outside Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

Beauchesne’s family took him off life support last Friday, saying they made the difficult decision after a cardiac arrest worsened his condition on his birthday in mid-July. He passed away shortly after.

On Thursday, Saskatoon Police Service upgraded the attempted murder charge against the 39-year-old alleged perpetrator to a charge of second-degree murder.

Danya Beauchesne, Randy’s daughter, said he didn’t deserve to suffer any more, and she wanted to respect his wishes.

“He had told a couple of people that if he was ever institutionalized that he wouldn’t want to go out like that,” she said. “(He was) not the kind of person to want to be held down or pampered in a bed. It was not his style.”

Danya said taking her father off life support was the hardest decision she has ever had to make.

“I really didn’t want to let him go,” Danya said. “He’s my best friend and the person I’d confide in. I just felt that it would be best for him and his interests, and what he would want. He would just want to be at peace and not have to suffer anymore.”

Randy fought and beat cancer twice, but Danya said it didn’t stop his caring spirit or his habit of putting others first.

“He was always the type of person that would always give a helping hand, even if he had something else going on,” she said.

The first time her father was diagnosed with cancer, Danya said she was only seven years old, which made his struggle difficult to witness. She said he recovered after a couple of years of chemotherapy, but just a few years ago he was diagnosed again with esophageal cancer.

Danya said it was tough seeing her father go through multiple surgeries, and while there were points where they weren’t sure if he would make it, Randy stayed positive through his treatment and wouldn’t ever complain.

She said she hopes to see justice for her father, who she will remember as a great role model who was compassionate and caring.

Beauchesne was self-employed as a landscaper for 35 years, and was an active arborist and martial artist.