Melissa Todorovic, the woman convicted as a teenager for persuading her boyfriend to murder 14-year-old Stefanie Rengel, has had her day parole extended for another six months. The decision, made by a parole panel, allows Todorovic to continue residing at a Barrie halfway house while under strict supervision.
Parole Board Cites Progress and Cooperation
In their recent ruling, the parole board found that Todorovic, now 34, has demonstrated cooperative behavior, respect for authority, and openness to feedback from her probation officer. She has been enrolled in college since January and is considered a low-risk offender who is actively engaged in her release plan.
The panel stated, "A further period of day parole will allow you to demonstrate a balanced and productive lifestyle, while further building community support and preparing for an eventual full parole release." This extension also grants Todorovic additional leave privileges to visit her parents in Toronto, under monitored conditions.
Background of the Crime
The case dates back to January 1, 2008, when Stefanie Rengel was lured from her East York home and stabbed six times by David Bagshaw, Todorovic's boyfriend at the time. Bagshaw acted under pressure from Todorovic, who had engaged in an eight-month campaign of manipulation, using phone calls, messages, and sexual blackmail to coerce him into committing the murder.
Todorovic, then 15, was obsessed with Rengel due to Bagshaw's previous platonic relationship with the victim. After the killing, Todorovic rewarded Bagshaw with sex, fulfilling a promise she had used as leverage. Bagshaw was later sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years.
Previous Parole Attempts and Concerns
This is not Todorovic's first attempt at day parole. In 2018, her initial release was suspended after just three months when authorities discovered she had manipulated a secret love triangle involving two ex-convicts. The parole board revoked her parole, concluding she had reverted to her "offence cycle" of controlling men to do her bidding.
At a parole hearing in September 2025, Todorovic admitted she was not ready for release during her first attempt. She acknowledged gravitating toward men with low self-esteem to exert control, a behavior she now recognizes as a core issue. However, Stefanie Rengel's mother, Patricia Hung, has repeatedly warned the parole board that Todorovic has not fundamentally changed.
Hung stated, "She breached the conditions in a way eerily reminiscent of the relational manipulation that led to Stefanie's murder, and unless evidence to the contrary is presented in this hearing, I do not believe she has addressed core psychological issues which directly contributed to Stefanie's death, despite programming and counselling."
Current Conditions and Monitoring
Under the extended day parole, Todorovic must adhere to several strict conditions. She is required to report all relationships to her parole officers, avoid association with anyone involved in criminal activity, continue psychological counseling focused on social anxiety and healthy relationships, and observe a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The parole board's decision reflects a cautious approach, balancing Todorovic's recent progress with the gravity of her past actions. Authorities will continue to monitor her closely as she navigates this phase of her rehabilitation within the justice system.
