Steven Zwick sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder of Chelsea Davidenas

Steven Zwick, 29, of Airdrie, was sentenced to life in prison Monday after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Chelsea Davidenas, 29. He is ineligible for parole for 15 years.

Text messages seized from Zwick's cellphone revealed a conspiracy between Zwick and co-accused Paul Joseph Rushton, 52, of Calgary. Beginning on February 16, 2024, the two men plotted to lure women to a home in the 5000 block of Rundlehorn Drive N.E., where they would restrain, rape and film the victims to sell the videos.

Davidenas was lured to the home on February 17, 2024, under the pretense of spending time with Zwick. When she arrived, Zwick held her in a chokehold while Rushton attempted to restrain her legs and arms with a necktie. Davidenas struggled to escape and died from strangulation before the men could carry out their intended assault. The strangulation lasted less than 10 minutes, court heard.

The two men left her body covered by a blanket in Rushton's room for two to three days before placing it in the trunk of a stolen Honda Civic. On April 4, 2024, her naked body was found behind a cluster of trees approximately 10 feet west of Range Road 254 and north of Township Road 224.

Zwick addressed the court Monday, apologizing to Davidenas's family. "I know nothing I can say will bring her back or undo the actions that took place," he said. "The events spiraled out of control, and I'll do anything to go back and change that date. All I can do now is take responsibility for my actions in hopes that it will bring some degree of closure to you guys."

Seven impact statements were presented to the court by Davidenas's family, including a four-minute video from her 11-year-old daughter recorded at the time of sentencing. "I still think about that phone call sometimes," she said. "I wonder what she wanted to say and I wish I had answered."

Rushton remains charged with murder. His jury trial is set to begin in January.