OTTAWA -- An Ottawa woman charged in the death of her mother has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.   

Lennese Kublu’s lawyer says her client is “very emotional and remorseful” and “very much missing her mother.”  

Kublu was originally charged with second-degree murder and committing an indignity to a dead body in the January 2019 death of her mother, Susan Kuplu in the house they shared on Penny Drive in the city’s west end.  

“The circumstances around it are incredibly sad,” said Ottawa Police Det. Chris Benson.    

Kublu was originally charged, alongside her boyfriend Dwight Brown, with second-degree murder and committing an indignity to a dead body. The Inuk woman pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter Friday morning.  

“There was not much dignity in the way Susan was killed, in the way her body was dealt at the onset when this crime occurred,” Benson said. “But I believe the resolution that was brought up and come to by all parties involved is going to help the family heal.” 

The agreed statement of facts read out in court reveals Kublu was “highly intoxicated” the night of her mother’s death. The two got into a fight with Kublu’s boyfriend Dwight Brown handing her the knife she used to stab Kuplu at least seven times.  

The document says after the killing, Brown wrapped the body in a blanket and the two carried it to a dumpster. Kublu says Brown threatened to kill her if she didn’t help.  

The contents of the dumpster ended up at the Trail Road landfill, where police sifted through thousands of tonnes of waste for 18 days before finding Kuplu’s remains.  

Brown previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and committing an indignity to a dead body. He was sentenced to seven years in prison last year.  

Kublu will now be released on bail to attend treatment programs. She has a number of conditions including abiding by a curfew and not consuming alcohol or non-prescription drugs.  

During the court appearance, Superior Court Justice Robert Maranger spoke directly to Kublu, saying “I’m rooting for you, I really am, so give it your very best shot.” 

There will be a sentencing circle which is something that can be part of the court process for Indigenous offenders. Kublu's family is said to be supportive of the plea and will attend when COVID-19 restrictions allow. 

Kublu is expected to be sentenced later this year.