Ryan Grantham: The Rise and Fall of a Teenage Actor

Ryan Grantham was an award-winning Canadian actor best known for playing Jeffery Augustine on Riverdale, as well as appearing in other shows and movies such as Supernatural, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Unfortunately, however, Ryan Grantham’s career abruptly came to a halt after being charged with killing his mother in 2020 and plead guilty to second-degree murder with no parole eligibility until 14 years had elapsed – this article will explore both Ryan Grantham’s life and career – from humble beginnings to tragic downfall.

Early Life and Career

Ryan Grantham was born August 26th 1998 in Squamish, British Columbia Canada but the exact date is currently unavailable. His older brother Ryan Jr is also an actor. Ryan began acting at an early age before enrolling at Simon Fraser University for higher studies. At 9 years old he made his television debut as Billy in The Secret of the Nutcracker and featured in commercials and short films as well.

Ryan made waves when he auditioned for Riverdale, the popular CW network show based on Archie Comics characters. Ryan won his audition and soon after appeared as Jeffery Augustine, son of Alice Cooper (Madchen Amick) and Reggie Mantle (Mark Consuelos) who became friends with Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) and Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes). Ryan appeared in one episode in 2019 that was widely applauded both by fans and critics alike.

Ryan also had roles in other shows and movies, such as Supernatural where he played Bobby Singer’s son; Diary of a Wimpy Kid where he played Rodney James; The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus where he played Neil; Falling Skies where he was Alex; Izombie where he was Nick; Liz where he was Matt; The Carpenter’s Miracle where he was Michael – among many more!

Murder Case

On March 31st 2020, Ryan sent shockwaves through the world when he surrendered himself to Vancouver police after killing his mother Barbara Waite (64), located north of Vancouver at their home. Ryan admitted shooting her in the back of her head while she was playing piano, as well as plotting against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with Molotov cocktails and camping supplies he planned on transporting via truck to Ottawa from their Vancouver residence.

Ryan used a Go-Pro camera after shooting his mother to film her body while explaining that it was him responsible. Following hours of drinking beer and smoking marijuana after the murder, he packed his car with three guns, ammunition, and 12 Molotov cocktails that he made himself before driving some 200 kilometers east toward Hope before turning around and returning back home.

Next day, Ryan drove himself to a police station where he informed an officer: “I killed my mother.” Police searched his car and discovered several weapons along with camping supplies and directions to Trudeau’s Rideau Cottage residence. Additionally, evidence suggested he was planning an act of mass violence at Vancouver’s Lions Gate Bridge or Simon Fraser University before turning himself in.

On June 15th 2022, Ryan entered a plea of guilty for second-degree murder against Canadian law. Prosecutors stated that killing one individual already constitutes murder under Canadian law due to its ability to cause death or serious injury, while showing no remorse or empathy towards his mother or others who might have been affected by his actions.

Sentencing

On September 23rd 2022 at British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver by Justice David Lameman, Ryan received a mandatory life sentence with no parole eligibility for 14 years due to his mental health issues and subsequent risk of reoffending.

At trial, Ryan’s lawyers asserted that he had suffered from anxiety and clinical depression since childhood, with suicidal thoughts expressed multiple times before killing his mother. Furthermore, substance abuse, bullying at school, family difficulties, financial challenges and isolation due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions all were likely contributing factors.

However, prosecutors disputed these allegations and provided evidence which contradicted them. According to them, Ryan had shown no indications of mental illness or distress before or after killing his mother and no outside influences other than anger towards authority figures such as teachers or police had any significant bearing on his decisions.