'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' actor Ryan Grantham given life in prison for killing his mom

Publish date: 2024-05-05

A Canadian actor who appeared in television shows "Riverdale" and "Supernatural," along with his portrayal of Rodney James in the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" movies, has been sentenced to life in prison for killing his mother.

Ryan Grantham, 24, reportedly shot his mother in the back of her head while she was playing piano on March 31, 2020.

The actor, aged 21 at the time, then filmed himself confessing to the murder using a GoPro camera, according to CBC News, showing his mother's body during the recording.

I shot her in the back of the head. In the moments after, she would have known it was me," Grantham said in the video.

The young actor then reportedly drank some beer and smoked marijuana before packing a few firearms into his vehicle and driving off towards Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's residence in Rideau Cottage. Grantham's alleged intention was to kill the PM.

The BBC reports that Grantham drove 200 kilometers before abruptly turning around and driving straight to a Vancouver police station, where he told police he had killed his mom.

Grantham reportedly was charged with first-degree murder but later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Justice Kathleen Ker delivered Grantham's sentence in a British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver, CBC News reported, where she said that the case was tragic and heartbreaking.

Grantham was reportedly sentenced to life in prison with a parole ineligibility of 14 years.

Second-degree murder in Canada comes with an automatic life sentence, according to multiple reports. The main question in Grantham's case was how quickly he will be eligible for parole. Grantham won't be eligible for parole for at least the first 14 years of his sentence.

I cannot explain or justify my actions. I have no excuse," Grantham told the court during his sentencing hearing, according to CBC News. "It hurts me to think about how badly I've wasted my life."In the face of something so horrible, saying sorry seems so pointless. But from every fibre of my being, I am sorry," the young actor reportedly said to the court.

Grantham took up acting at the young age of 9, Variety reports.

According to IMDB, he has acting credits for "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," "iZombie," "Undercover Cheerleader," and many more productions.

ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmp5mknryvedaoqaWcX5m2or7YZqafZZFixKq5z7JkpKGUYq6kwM6rZKuxkaN6qL7Ap6uhmZ1itKrCxKdkpaGWmnqquoypqaKrn6N6p7vRZqKipJyeu6h5x6KqZqWfonqkrc2am5plop7Dpr7DmqOeZaOqvaa%2BzZqrrqqRoQ%3D%3D