Calgary High-Risk Offender Released After Brutal Sword Attack on Girlfriend
Calgary police have issued a public warning about a dangerous offender now back on city streets. Collin Dennis Ayorech, 45, was convicted for a horrific 2019 attack where he used a sword to hack off three of his girlfriend's fingers during a violent domestic assault.
Details of the Brutal Assault
The attack occurred on June 9, 2019, after the couple had been drinking in her bedroom. An argument escalated into violence when Ayorech took a sword and severed three of Dawn Warden's fingers. Not content with this brutal act, he then proceeded to cut her breast, ear, face, leg, and abdomen in what authorities described as a sustained and vicious assault.
Following the initial attack, Ayorech trapped Warden in a closet and set the room ablaze. The victim was only able to escape when sprinklers activated by the fire sprayed water throughout the apartment, allowing her to crawl to safety. Warden endured at least two separate brutal assaults at Ayorech's hands, with the first occurring on May 11, 2017.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
During court proceedings, it was revealed that Ayorech suffers from schizophrenia, which was considered a mitigating factor in his sentencing. He pleaded guilty to 14 offences related to the attacks. Judge Anne Brown sentenced him to eight years in prison, with credit for time served reducing the sentence to 5.5 years remaining.
Judge Brown, who has drawn attention for other controversial decisions including a 2024 case involving a serial groper, recommended that Ayorech serve his time at the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon. She expressed concern about the availability of mental health services in regular prisons, though she acknowledged the horrific and permanent effects of the attacks on the victim.
Public Safety Concerns
Calgary police announced Ayorech's release on Friday, February 9, 2026, describing him as a high-risk offender who poses a significant threat to public safety. The police warning follows a pattern seen across Canada, where law enforcement agencies increasingly issue public alerts about dangerous individuals returning to communities.
Just last week, the Toronto Sun reported on another case where Guelph police issued a warning about convicted sex offender Medhani Yohans, who was back in custody just two hours after his release warning was issued. These cases raise questions about the balance between rehabilitation and public protection in Canada's justice system.
Broader Implications for Criminal Justice
The release of violent offenders like Ayorech highlights ongoing debates about Canada's approach to criminal justice, particularly regarding individuals with mental health issues. While the justice system must consider mitigating factors like mental illness, victims' advocates argue that public safety should remain the paramount concern.
Police warnings about high-risk offenders have become increasingly common across Canada, from British Columbia to Newfoundland, as communities grapple with how to manage dangerous individuals who have completed their sentences but may still pose threats to public safety.
