Edmonton man accused of killing girlfriend had allegedly harmed her before. Her father is calling for change

WARNING: This article contains details of domestic violence.

An Edmonton man charged with killing his former girlfriend has a history of violence against the woman he allegedly stabbed to death. 

Drew Moore, 36, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Erin Kern, 30, and with the attempted murder of Kern's 62-year-old father. 

Moore, due in court Monday for an election and plea appearance, is facing six other charges for breaching court orders that prohibited him from making contact with Kern.

Trevor Kern said he believes the justice system failed his daughter and is putting other victims of domestic violence at risk.

"The justice system that we have is failing a lot of intimate partners," he said.

"They just continue to give these perpetrators the benefit of the doubt." 

At the time of the killing, Moore was bound by court orders to keep his distance from Kern. He was prohibited from being near her home or making any attempt to contact her. 

Court records obtained by CBC News show he had faced a string of charges for breaching court orders and allegedly attacking Kern several times, dating back to the summer of 2024.  

Many of the charges were ultimately abandoned by the Crown, either stayed in the months before the homicide or withdrawn the day after Kern's death.

The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service has declined to comment on the previous cases, citing the ongoing case against Moore and his right to a fair trial. Moore's lawyer declined to comment.

Advocates say the case demonstrates the need for probation reform and for improved protections for victims and for specialized court systems to prosecute domestic violence cases. 

Kern was found dead on the morning of Feb. 11, inside her home in the Strathearn neighbourhood.

Police were called after Kern's father discovered her body and was subsequently attacked.

An autopsy confirmed that Kern died of multiple stab wounds. Police have described her death as an intimate partner homicide.

'No consequences'

Trevor Kern said he had started to worry about his daughter while he was overseas on business. They worked together at his office and spoke often. His calls and texts had gone unanswered for three days by the time he returned to Edmonton and drove over to her place.

What he says he found inside the home remains etched in his memory in stark detail. 

He describes that morning as a living nightmare. 

Kern said he had worried about the relationship and had urged his daughter to leave Moore.

But she kept taking him back, something advocates say is a common pattern among domestic violence survivors who often struggle to find the resources they need to escape their abusers.

Kern said he's sharing his daughter's story in the hopes that it will help close gaps in a justice system he describes as a revolving door.

He is calling for changes in legislation that would ensure offenders who break probation or court-issued restraining orders face stiffer penalties. 

"There's no consequences for multiple breaches of court orders. That really devalues the entire court system," he said.

"What can I do so this doesn't happen to another family?"

The court record

Moore was first arrested for allegedly attacking Kern on July 13, 2024, in Parkland County. Within days of his release on a promise to keep the peace and keep his distance from Kern, he was arrested again.

On July 18, 2024, he was charged with criminal harassment for causing Kern to fear for her safety and obstruction of justice by using threats to dissuade her from giving evidence. He was also charged with breach of probation and for breaking orders to make no contact with Kern.

New charges were laid in August, when Moore, who had been under house arrest, left his northeast Edmonton home and was at large for more than a week.

On Oct. 16, 2024, Moore was convicted on two counts in the house arrest case for breaches related to leaving his home without the court's permission.

As a justice system, we have failed Erin. And many other Erins.- Mary Jane James

The other charges for harassing Kern were withdrawn. Moore was sentenced to 30 days in custody but was given credit for time served and served 15 days. He was released on conditions that he make no contact with Kern.

Court records show Moore was also charged for allegedly choking Kern last August, days before he was caught breaking house arrest. He was charged with unlawful confinement, two counts of assault, threatening to kill Kern, and failing to abide by no-contact orders.

Court documents show a stay of proceedings in the alleged choking was issued in October.

Within three days of Moore's sentencing in the house arrest case, he was charged for an alleged attack on Kern in Edmonton on Oct. 22.

Moore was charged with assaulting Kern, threatening to kill her and for using violence, or threats of violence, to intimidate her.

He was also charged with failing to comply with an order prohibiting him from contacting Kern. The charges were withdrawn a day after Kern's death.

Erin Kern posted $250 bail for Moore for the charges related to the alleged October assault against her.

On Nov. 16, Moore was charged with failing to comply with his release orders, including instructions that he leave Kern alone. Those charges were withdrawn in early January. 

Cat Champagne, executive director of the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters, said domestic violence cases often fall apart because the victim is too fearful to testify.

Canada's probation and bail systems must be strengthened to better protect all victims of crime, including domestic violence survivors, Champagne said.  

She said repeat offenders should face stronger deterrents to breaking release conditions, and the courts should ensure that anyone with a significant history of breaching court orders is disqualified from release.

Kern's case has undermined her faith in the justice system, Champagne said. 

"We're looking at more of a legal system than a justice system lately. The penalties for offenders are just not there." 

She liked other people more than she liked herself.- Trevor Kern

Mary Jane James, CEO of the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton, said domestic violence offences need to be taken more seriously and punished more severely. 

She agreed with Champagne that probation and bail reform is needed. James also said court programs with specially trained litigators, prosecutors and justices should be established to handle domestic violence cases.

She hopes the tragedy will draw attention to gaps in the system and help break down a "shroud of shame" that often prevents victims from seeking help. 

"We need to do better, and this demonstrates to me that we aren't," she said.

"As a justice system, we have failed Erin. And many other Erins." 

Trevor Kern said he hopes his daughter's story will lead to change in the justice system and help others like her get help.

As he continues to navigate his grief and his own trauma, he remembers his daughter as a caring person who loved music and pets and cared selflessly for others.

"Unfortunately, she liked other people more than she liked herself," he said. "She put herself in harm's way for the benefit of others."

If you or someone you know needs support, there are non-emergency resources and hotlines available in Edmonton and Alberta:

• Family Violence Information line: call or text 310-1818.
• Provincial abuse helpline call 1-855-443-5722.
• Edmonton police non-emergency line: call 780-423-4567 or text #377.
• The Alberta Council of Women's Shelters has resources online at acws.ca.

If the situation is urgent, contact emergency services in your area.