The heart-wrenching story of David and Kathleen Bagby captured global attention through the landmark documentary Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father. Viewers around the world watched in horror as the elderly couple fought tirelessly for custody of their grandson, Zachary, following the tragic murder of their only son, Andrew Bagby, by his ex-girlfriend, Dr. Shirley Turner. Decades after the tragedy that unfolded across the United States and Canada, many people wonder about the lives, whereabouts, and current status of David and Kathleen Bagby.
To understand their path forward, it helps to look past the final credits of the film. David and Kathleen didn't retreat into silent grief; instead, they channeled their agonizing loss into an unrelenting crusade for legal reform. Their activism ultimately reshaped Canadian legislation, leaving a permanent mark on the country's bail system to protect other children and families from falling through the cracks of justice.
The Tragedy Behind the Public Eye
In November 2001, Dr. Andrew Bagby was found murdered in a Pennsylvania park. The prime suspect, his former partner Shirley Turner, fled to her native Canada before local authorities could apprehend her. Shortly after her arrest in Canada, Turner announced she was pregnant with Andrew's child. Driven by a desperate need to preserve a piece of their son, David and Kathleen packed up their lives and moved to St. John's, Newfoundland, to fight for custody of the unborn baby.
Despite clear warnings regarding Turner's psychological instability and the severity of the pending murder charges against her, Canadian courts granted her bail and allowed her custody of young Zachary. The catastrophic failure of the legal system culminated on August 18, 2003, when Turner jumped into the Atlantic Ocean with thirteen-month-old Zachary strapped to her chest, ending both of their lives in a murder-suicide.
Channeling Grief Into Legislative Change
Faced with a double unimaginable loss, David and Kathleen chose to fight back against the systemic flaws that enabled the tragedy. They launched an aggressive public awareness campaign to reform Canada's bail laws. Under existing regulations at the time, judges frequently released accused violent criminals on bail if they didn't view them as an immediate flight risk, regardless of public safety threats.
Working alongside filmmaker Kurt Kuenne—who initially set out to compile home videos as a keepsake for baby Zachary—the Bagbys helped expose the dangerous loopholes in the judiciary process. Their efforts bore fruit when political pressure mounted across Canada. In 2010, the Canadian Parliament passed "Zachary's Law," officially known as Bill C-464. This vital legislation amended the Criminal Code to ensure that the safety and security of children are primary considerations when judges weigh bail decisions for individuals charged with violent offenses.
Life After the Documentary: Where Are They Now?
In the years following the release of Dear Zachary in 2008, David and Kathleen maintained a quiet, private life away from the constant glare of media scrutiny, while occasionally speaking out on legal reform. David authored a book detailing the nightmare they endured, titled Dance with the Devil. Kathleen dedicated a portion of her time to mentoring disadvantaged children, finding small fragments of purpose and human connection in helping others.
While the deep emotional scars of losing both their only son and their only grandchild never truly heal, the couple found a measure of quiet resilience together. They remained steadfast partners, leaning on one another to navigate the lifelong grief left in the wake of systemic failure. Their enduring legacy is not just a heartbreaking documentary, but a tangible shift in how legal systems protect vulnerable children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are David and Kathleen Bagby still alive?
Yes, David and Kathleen (often called Kate) Bagby survived the ordeal and dedicated the subsequent decades of their lives to honoring Andrew and Zachary through advocacy and legislative reform.
What was "Zachary's Law"?
Passed in Canada in 2010 as Bill C-464, Zachary's Law altered the Canadian Criminal Code. It mandates that courts prioritize the safety of children under the age of 18 when deciding whether to grant bail to individuals accused of violent crimes.
How did the Bagbys participate in the documentary Dear Zachary?
Director Kurt Kuenne originally began filming home videos as a gift for baby Zachary so he could know what his father, Andrew, was like. After the tragedy, Kuenne transformed the project into a chronicle of the fight for justice, featuring extensive interviews with David, Kathleen, and Andrew's close friends.
What happened to Shirley Turner's co-conspirators or legal team?
While Turner's actions ended the tragedy with her suicide, the case exposed severe negligence within the Canadian bail hearing process. The public backlash permanently altered how Canadian judges evaluate custody and bail parameters in domestic violence and murder investigations.
