Sister of murder victim Renee Sweeney speaks out on a rollercoaster year and what’s next

It was a story that gripped northern Ontario headlines for weeks in 2023, let alone years before the trial began.

After 25 years of waiting and wondering, the murder trial of Robert Steven Wright ended with a guilty verdict. Renee Sweeney’s killer was sentenced to life.

A wise man once said, ‘there are two ways of exerting one’s strength, one is pushing down… the other is pulling up.’ If that’s true, Kim Sweeney may be one of the strongest women in Sudbury. Six months after the sentencing of her sister’s killer, she carries on.

“I’ve been holding up, it’s … you know, some days are harder than others but I am very thankful that we’re here today because it was five years to get to this point,” said Kim.

Day after day, Sweeney sat in the front row behind the Crown, subjected to graphic photos and details she had never seen until Wright’s trial.

It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t know what happened during the trial; even now, she still receives messages of support.

Day after day, during Robert Steven Wright's murder trial, Kim Sweeney sat in the front row behind the Crown, subjected to graphic photos and details she had never seen until Wright’s trial. (Photo from video)

'PEOPLE REACHING OUT AND GIVING ME POSITIVE MESSAGES'

“People reaching out and just giving me positive messages, you know saying we’re behind you ... people saying you don’t know me but I’m proud of you for staying around and being there,” she said.

This has and will be a new year of firsts for Sweeney and her family, a first birthday, a first Thanksgiving, a first Christmas without wondering if they will see justice for Renee.

“She’s not here and I’m sad for that … she’ll be with us in spirit … and know that she can rest easy now (wipes away tear), yep, it took long enough but she can rest easy now,” Kim said.

Sweeney credits her support network in helping to hold her up during the trial -- even now, with Wright having filed an appeal.

He faces new charges in North Bay, including two counts of sexual assault. Sweeney says she will be there to support others if and when it comes to trial.

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“I will be there. I will be there to show his other victim that there is a whole community behind you,” she said, tearing up.

“I had a whole community behind me which I’m thankful for and that helps -- it helps very much.”

Wright is currently serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for 12 years.

Sweeney says this was the longest wait she’s ever faced. She’s thankful for the jury, her community and whatever comes next.