The man who murdered Chantel John in Conne River seven years ago this month has dropped his appeal of his conviction.

Family and friends of Chantel John have had little relief from their grief in the aftermath of her brutal murder at the hands of Kirk Keeping.

But this morning’s development in the province’s highest court might just provide some.

Keeping appeared lawyer-less in the Appeal Court by video from the Atlantic Institution in New Brunswick for an update on his plans to appeal his second-degree murder conviction.

The two-judge panel was seeking clarity as to whether he’ll have or want a lawyer, and any he’s efforts made to retain one.

Instead, Keeping informed the court he would be filing a formal Notice of Abandonment and dropping his appeal.

John was 28 and Keeping 35 when he killed her in the Miawpukek First Nation community on January 9, 2019.

He was sentenced in 2024 to life in prison with no chance of parole for 16 years, but appealed shortly thereafter.

Keeping was instructed to fax his form to the court to formally drop the matter.

The Crown confirmed this afternoon that they have received the document and the case is closed.