If you’ve ever watched the documentary Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, you know it isn’t just a movie. It is a visceral, gut-wrenching experience that leaves you staring at a blank screen for twenty minutes after the credits roll. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to reach through the TV and hug the people on screen. Naturally, years later, people are still searching for updates on Andrew Bagby parents still alive status, wondering how any two human beings could possibly survive that much concentrated grief.
Honestly, the short answer is yes. David and Kathleen (Kate) Bagby are still with us.
But "alive" is a heavy word when you’ve lost your only child and your only grandchild to the same person. They didn't just survive; they spent the last two decades turning their private "hell on earth" into a public crusade for justice.
The Current Status of David and Kate Bagby
As of early 2026, David and Kate Bagby are living in California. They’ve mostly stepped back from the intense public eye that followed the release of Kurt Kuenne’s 2008 documentary, but they haven't disappeared. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a few years back—a milestone that feels almost miraculous given the strain their marriage endured.
You’ve got to imagine the sheer weight of their daily life. For a long time, they didn't even put up Christmas trees. Why bother? The people they wanted to celebrate with were gone. However, reports from friends and community members in Gilroy, California, suggest they’ve found a way to breathe again. They are active in their church, they travel a bit, and they still keep in close contact with Andrew’s old medical school friends.
Turning Rage into "Zachary’s Bill"
One of the main reasons people ask about the Bagbys is because they became the faces of legal reform in Canada. If you remember the details of the case, it was a systemic failure of epic proportions. Shirley Turner, the woman who murdered Andrew, was released on bail in Newfoundland while pregnant with Andrew's son, Zachary.
Despite being a flight risk and a murder suspect, the Canadian legal system let her walk. She eventually took Zachary and jumped into the Atlantic Ocean.
David and Kate didn't just sit in their sorrow. They got angry. David wrote a book called Dance with the Devil, which is basically a 300-page scream of frustration. They pushed for Bill C-464, also known as Zachary’s Bill.
- The bill changed the Criminal Code of Canada.
- It allows courts to refuse bail if the accused is a danger to their own children.
- It was signed into law in 2010.
It’s rare to see a couple from California change the federal laws of a different country, but they did it. That is a hell of a legacy.
The Legacy of Andrew and Zachary
People often wonder if they ever found peace. Can you ever really find peace after that? Probably not in the way most people think. But they’ve focused on the Andrew Bagby Scholarship.
Every year, medical students at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital (where Andrew was a resident) receive funding in his name. It’s a way to keep Andrew’s "gregarious" spirit—as David often calls it—alive in the world. They aren't just the parents of a murder victim; they are the benefactors of future doctors.
Addressing the Misconceptions
There are often rumors floating around true crime forums that the Bagbys passed away shortly after the documentary. This usually stems from how frail they looked during the peak of their activism. Dealing with the Newfoundland social services and the Canadian courts took a massive toll on their health.
But they are resilient.
David once said in an interview that they had "nothing to lose anymore," which gave them a weird kind of superpower. When you’ve already lost everything, you aren't afraid of politicians or judges.
What We Can Learn From the Bagbys
Looking at the Andrew Bagby parents still alive topic isn't just about curiosity. It's about seeing how people cope with the unthinkable. They didn't "move on"—you don't move on from losing a son and a grandson. You move forward with the weight of them on your shoulders.
If you want to honor their journey, the best thing to do isn't just to watch the documentary and cry. It's to understand why they fought so hard for bail reform. It's to realize that "presumption of innocence" should never outweigh the "preservation of life," especially when a child is involved.
Actionable Insights for True Crime Followers
- Support Legal Reform: Keep an eye on local bail laws. The Bagbys proved that regular citizens can actually change the "unchangeable" system.
- Donate to the Scholarship: If you’re moved by Andrew’s story, look into the Andrew Bagby Memorial Scholarship. It’s a tangible way to ensure his name stays associated with healing rather than just his tragic end.
- Watch the Documentary (Again): If it’s been a few years, re-watching Dear Zachary with the knowledge that the Bagbys successfully changed the law makes it a slightly different, albeit still painful, experience.
- Share the Story: The Bagbys wanted this story in "as many heads as possible." Keeping the conversation going ensures that the failures of the Newfoundland court system aren't forgotten.
David and Kate Bagby are still here, standing as a testament to the fact that even when the world breaks you, you can still use the pieces to build something that protects others. They are currently living a quieter life, finally enjoying the "regular" things their friends and family hoped they would find again.